In brief

Localisation :
Municipality : Lège-Cap-Ferret (Gironde, 33)
GPS (WGS84) : 45°37'15 N / 001°15'00 W / Altitude : nearly 6 m above sea level

Site:
Property of the Conservatoire de l'Espace Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres.
A sensitive natural area in Gironde, classified Natura 2000.

Habitat:
Coastal dunes. This is a highly vulnerable habitat. Made of sand only, the dunes are subject to wind and sea actions, exposing them to very strong erosion. It is therefore particularly important to stay on the trails and to avoid walking on the vegetation, which is the most effective protection against erosion.

Surroundings and natural setting

Cap Ferret is a sand peninsula stretching out for 25 km, partially closing in the lagoon of Arcachon. The large lagoon (15000 hectares) is a splendid stop-over site for migratory birds. At low tide, thousands of hectares of mudflats are exposed to the probing beaks of tens of thousands of hungry birds. Arrived from Northern Europe and Siberia, hundreds of thousands of waders, ducks and Brent Geese head south to spend the winter in Southern Europe and Africa. Brent Geese winter in tens of thousands on the lagoon. Waterbirds are not the only visitors to the site.

Ornithological interest

Many passerines and birds of prey fly over the last sand banks of Cap Ferret before crossing the narrow strait, separating the peninsula from the southern rim of the lagoon, and proceed further south. The peninsula acts as a bottleneck, concentrating the migratory flow and offering rare and ideal viewing conditions. Among the most remarkable species are Spoonbills, Hobbies and Merlins, Red Kites (Black Kites migrate in August), Ospreys, Cranes, Wood Pigeons and Stock Doves, swallows, Short-eared owls, Chaffinches, Linnets, Siskins, etc.

History of the watchpoint

LPO Aquitaine ensures the migration survey in Cap Ferret since 2002. This migration camp is open each year between September 1st and November 15th. During two and a half months in autumn, several birders (two at least) survey the migration from dawn to 2pm. The guidelines are similar to those used at Pointe de Grave and at the Pyrenean passes ("Transpyr"). This work is supported by the Conseil Général de la Gironde, the Conseil Régional d'Aquitaine, and the municipality of Lège-Cap-Ferret.

How to get there?

Reaching Cap Ferret is easy following the D106 (see map). Once at the "belvedere", at the very tip of the peninsula, head to the right towards the ocean until you see a group of birders on the dunes (the exact location varies from year to year because the shape of the dunes is subject to permanent erosion effects).

In summer (June 15th to end of August), LPO-Aquitaine also welcomes you three times a week on the spot, and hosts guided tours to discover the dunal habitats with its typical fauna but also its peculiar flora. This programme is supported by the Conseil Général de la Gironde (download the program).

More information and contact

LPO Aquitaine (Bègles) : 05 56 91 33 81 -  web site - mail
Conseil Général de la Gironde (Bordeaux) : 05 56 99 33 33
Conservatoire du Littoral : 05 57 81 23 24 - web site
Office National des Forêts (Bordeaux) : 05 57 81 22 77
Tourist Office : 05 56 03 94 49 - mail