Where to go birdwatching in Limousin?

Classified as a Natura 2000 site, 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 kilometers from Limoges. An artificial lake built on the Asse river, it is one of the largest and oldest lakes of 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 favorably situated on migratory routes. As a result, the lake is home to numerous bird species, including migratory birds such as cranes and ospreys, as well as waterfowl such as teals, scaups and grebes. An ornithological observatory has been set up to help you discover them, and a discovery trail on the dry moorland offers a breathtaking view of the lake.

Île de Navière, also known as Île de Chaillac, is a little corner of paradise. With its 48 hectares of preserved nature, it is the largest natural island on the Vienne river, linked by a bridge to its right bank. A 2 km interpretive trail offers an easy stroll focused on exploring both the island’s human and natural heritage. Along the way, small markers reveal its hidden treasures, showcasing the rich flora and fauna. This walk can be the perfect opportunity to equip yourself with binoculars and get acquainted with the white-throated dipper or the water robin, visible during the autumn and winter migrations. In early spring, the island hosts significant gatherings of warblers, chiffchaffs and swallows, making it a delight for both budding and seasoned birdwatchers!

Located in the commune of Val d’Issoire (formerly 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 area features dry heathland, a habitat rich in diverse flora and fauna. The peace and quiet of the site, nestled at an altitude of 336 meters, is particularly appreciated by birds fond of open environments. You might spot species typical of heathlands, such as the Hen Harrier, a rare and threatened bird of prey, or the European Nightjar, a migratory bird that winters in tropical and eastern Africa and nests in Europe from mid-May to late August. Keep your eyes peeled for these remarkable creatures!

The hamlets of Cessaguet and Eynanças in Flavignac are known as prime spots for observing the autumn and spring migrations of the grey crane. Every year, they stop by Flavignac on their journey. The Limousin region lies at the heart of their migratory route: from October onward, you can often spot large “V” formations in the sky heading south; in spring, sometimes as early as February, they return north. Since the 2000s, due to 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 be passing through Limousin…So take the opportunity to enjoy their spectacle while you can, in Flavignac.

Les Combes is a hamlet in the commune of Saint-Léger-la-Montagne, located in the Monts d’Ambazac. At an altitude of 600 meters, near the radio transmission station, it is a prime spot to observe the common crane during the autumn migration, as well as the wood pigeon and numerous passerines. This hamlet is a key site for bird counting.

Located in the commune of Saint-Sylvestre, at an altitude of 537 meters, the hamlet of Cloud is a site subject to regular counts and special scientific monitoring, notably by the “Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux Limousin” (LPO).