The presentation of the watchpoint is a translation from the book "La France à Tire-d'aile" (2005) by Philippe J. Dubois and Elise Rousseau, published by Delachaux & Niestlé, reproduced here with the kind authorization of the authors and the publisher.
Natural surroundings of the watchpoint
The beach resort Brignogan-Plage is located in the northwestern part of the Finistère, in the pays de Léon, west of the bay of Goulven, a fine birding site, and east of the Abers, deep narrow estuaries. Finistère derives from the Latin Finis terrae and may be compared with Land’s End at the opposite side of the English Channel. This is one of the prime sites in Brittany for autumn seabird migration.
History of the survey
First visited by Breton birders in the late 1970s, this interesting watchpoint has unfortunately been surveyed only irregularly. Short birding breaks, however, have revealed its great potential. More intensive monitoring during the autumn of 1988 has shown the interest of Brignogan’s semaphore.
Migration calendar
In the western Channel, two migratory flows converge. To begin with, seabirds migrate from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Then, seabirds from the nearby Atlantic are driven in by gale-force westerlies and move eastward into the English Channel as far as the Cotentin. There, they “bump” into the peninsula and head back to the Atlantic. As an Atlantic depression sets in, seabirds are pushed into the Channel by southwesterly winds and tend to show up first along the British Channel coast, making their way back along the French coast with northwesterly winds. Brignogan is a migrant trap on the west side of the bay of Goulven. Seabirds that follow the coastline to the west, visit the bay to seek shelter or are blown in by strong winds. Either way, they leave the bay near the coast, close to the semaphore. Gannets, shearwaters, skuas and terns are regularly seen close inshore, and sometimes even at the foot of the cliffs!
Brignogan’s semaphore has some peculiarities. During autumn (between late August and early November) pelagic species from the Atlantic can be seen, rarely observed from mainland France. During Stormy spells associated with an Atlantic low-pressure zone, tens (or even hundreds) of Sooty Shearwaters can be seen along with Manx and Balearic Shearwaters. Skuas (mainly Great Skuas), Gannets and Kittiwakes can be seen in good numbers, too. Scarce species, such as Leach’s Petrel, Grey Phalarope and Sabine’s Gull are also seen in similar weather conditions (sometimes tens of them). Many terns, probably from the North Sea area and the eastern Channel, fly past the semaphore in autumn. Among them, there are sometimes hundreds of Arctic Terns which may come from the Atlantic in stormy weather. Brignogan is undoubtedly one of the very best watchpoints in France to see this species, both in good numbers and ideal viewing conditions. The four skuas also occur here, including the scarce Long-tailed Skua. In late summer, it is also a good site to watch Dougall’s Tern, breeding in small numbers east of here off the Brittany coast. During some summers, influxes of Cory’s Shearwater may be discerned (sometimes tens of birds, but up to 1500 in August 1980). Balearic Shearwaters disperse from the Mediterranean and assemble in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. The species is regularly seen at Brignogan. Late autumn storms often bring Gannets, Great Skuas and Kittiwakes, but also many Little Gulls and alcids (Guillemot, Razorbill and – in small numbers – Puffin). Black Guillemot has also been seen here. During winter, alcids, divers and grebes are sometimes close inshore. The migration of other birds (including songbirds) is less studied. Passerine migration is likely to be important in September and October. The bushes near the semaphore attract small migrants.
Weather conditions
Like for other seawatch sites in northern France, low pressure zones above the Atlantic are ideal conditions. Northwesterly winds are the best for seabird observation. (cf. Le Clipon).
Visitors
There is no permanency at the watchpoint but local birders have been visiting the site regularly for the last ten years.
Access
Take the direction of the “menhir”, well-signposted in the centre of Brignogan. At the crossroads with the menhir, take right, towards the seafront and the holiday centre Les Chardons bleus. The new semaphore is at the end of the road, on the right side, at a few hundred metres from Saint-Paul’s Chapel. The migration watchpoint is in front of the semaphore, sheltered behind the rocks.
Where to stay
There is a campsite at some tens of metres from the semaphore. Several small hotels can be found at Brignogan and there are many holiday cottages for rent (check with the tourist office). It is also possible to rent an appartment for the week at the holiday centre les Chardons bleus at a minute’s walk from the semaphore !
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