Surroundings and natural setting of the watchpoint

Flavignac is situated 25 km from Limoges in the southwest of the department Haute-Vienne. The spring and autumn watchpoint are 500 m apart and are surrounded by cattle pastures near the two hamlets. In fine weather conditions, we can see the windmills of Peyrelevade (19) approximately 75 km to the east, monts de Blond at about 30 km to the north and monts d'Ambazac (87) at about 45 km to the northeast.

Ornithological interest

Spring migration has been studied since 2000, with slightly over 100 hours a year. Autumn migration has been followed since 2000 with slightly over 500 hours in the field. Observations are mainly during weekends in July, August, September and November and daily in October. I would like to thank Patrick LABIDOIRE who showed me the site.

Spring migration: At the locality "Eynanças" 365 m: emblematic species include Cranes (74.000 in 2008), Woodpigeon (ca. 50.000) and depending on the years, a good passage of Skylarks and Lapwings. Also noteworthy are 267 Golden Plovers in 2007.

Autumn migration: At the locality "Cessaguet" 357 m: During the last two years, over 420.000 birds have been counted. We start in July and end around 15 November.

The top species are Woodpigeon with a little over 340.000 individuals (on average during the last two years), Crane (with 20.000 in a single day), Skylark and Great Cormorant wit 1200 and 1500 individuals respectively.

It is undoubtedly thanks to the river Vienne, flowing from south to west between Saint-Priest-Taurion and Bosmie-Aiguille, that Great Cormorants and Ospreys continue in that direction and are sighted at Flavignac.

Between 2002 and 2005 4 owls (including 2 Short-eared Owls) were seen at the migration site and landed at a few metres from the observers.

On the site, many hunters park their car and hunt in the area. We have no conflicts, please respect everyone...

For Crane migration, see also:

http://champagne-ardenne.lpo.fr/grues/point_sur_la_migration.htm

Contact

mailto:patrick.precigout@wanadoo.fr