Where to go birdwatching in Limousin?

A Natura 2000 site, the Etang de Murat is located in the communes of Saint-Léger-Magnazeix and Lussac-les-Eglises, in the north of the Haute-Vienne department, around 50 kilometres from Limoges. An artificial lake built on the river Asse, it is one of the largest and oldest ponds in the Haute-Vienne department. With a surface area of 30 hectares, it has long been known to naturalists for its ecological richness (water chestnut, litorella of the lakes, flying deer lucane, marsh copper…), and thanks to its location, close to the Brenne, it is also favourably situated on migratory routes. As a result, the pond is home to many species of bird, including migratory birds such as cranes and ospreys, as well as waterfowl such as teal, scaup and grebes. A bird observatory has been set up to help you discover them, and a dry moorland discovery trail offers a breathtaking view of the pond.

Île de Navière, also known as Île de Chaillac, is a little corner of paradise. With its 48 hectares of unspoilt nature, it is the largest natural island on the Vienne, linked by a bridge to its right bank. A 2km interpretation trail is an easy way to discover the island’s human and natural heritage, with small signposts pointing out the treasures the island has to offer. Flora and fauna are well represented. This walk may be a good opportunity to take binoculars with you and see the diving cingle or the water robin, which can be seen during their migrations in autumn and winter. In early spring, there are large concentrations of warblers, chickadees and swallows. Enough to delight budding and experienced birdwatchers alike!

Located in the commune of Val d’Issoire (formerly known as Bussière-Boffy), the Butte de Frochet is a unique landscape site offering a view of the Charente river and a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The site is home to dry moorland, which is home to numerous species of flora and fauna. The peace and quiet of the site, nestled at an altitude of 336 metres, is particularly popular with birds that love open spaces. Species of birds that are typical of the heathland breed here, such as the Hen Harrier, an endangered bird of prey that has become rare, and the European Nightjar, a migratory bird that winters in tropical and East Africa and comes to Europe to breed between mid-May and the end of August. You might just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them!

The hamlets of Cessaguet and Eynanças in Flavignac are well known for being good places to watch the autumn and spring migrations of the grey crane. Every year, they make a stopover here in Flavignac. The Limousin is at the centre of their migration route: from October onwards, if you look up, you can see large “Vs” in the sky descending southwards; in spring, sometimes as early as February, they return north. Since 2000, as a result of global warming, some of the cranes have been wintering in eastern France, in Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne, and no longer head as far south. One day, perhaps, the cranes will no longer pass through the Limousin… So enjoy their spectacle now, in Flavignac.

Les Combes is a hamlet in the commune of Saint-Léger-la-Montagne, in the Monts d’Ambazac. At an altitude of 600 metres, close to the radio broadcasting station, the hamlet is the ideal spot to watch the autumn migration of grey cranes, wood pigeons and many passerines. This hamlet is a reference site for bird counts.

Located in the commune of Saint-Sylvestre, at an altitude of 537 metres, the hamlet of Cloud is a site that is regularly counted and monitored by the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux Limousin (LPO).