Surroundings and natural setting of the watchpoint
The watchpoint is perched on the edge of the Picardy cliffs, stretching over 6.5 kilometres, in the continuity of Normandy’s Alabaster Coast. A permanent meadow, usually pastured by Charolais cattle, is situated between the Rompval woodland - owned by Conservatoire de l'espace littoral et des rivages lacustres but closed to the public - and the precipice. This is one of the most impressive natural sites in Picardy, thanks to the height of the cliffs, the well-preserved natural surroundings and the windswept vegetation of the original coastal woodland, often drenched in salt spray.
History of the watchpoint
So far, this watchpoint has never been surveyed in detail. To our knowledge, the first repeated migration counts date from spring 2009 in view to compare the results with la pointe du Hourdel, hardly better known, with a first thorough survey realized in the same spring.
Ornithological interest, emblematic species
Without the benefit of hindsight, it is not yet possible to define the principal interests of the watchpoint. It seems, however, more favorable than le Hourdel for passerine migration, e.g. pipits, wagtails, finches – Linnets, Siskins, and Goldfinches, or swallows and martins. Besides migrating birds, a great deal of interest resides in breeding Herring Gulls, Fulmars, Jackdaws and cliff-nesting House Martins. Since 2008 (or 2007 ?) Great Cormorants are breeding between bois de Cise and Mers-les-Bains, whereas Peregrine Falcon returned as a breeding bird on the cliffs since 2002, after an absence of over 50 years.
Calendar
For the above-mentioned reasons, we have little information on the timing of migration at this particular site. The period between the end of April and the beginning of May is probably one of the most interesting. Southern, southeastern and eastern winds are favorable. Depending on the weather conditions, the site may be interesting for spring migration but this remains to be documented.
Access to visitors
There is no information centre.
How to get there ?
It is preferable to park your car in the lower part of the bois de Cise valley and walk up to the orientation table on the (north-facing) south slope of the dry valley. Continue to the south from there, towards Mers-les-Bains, until the cliff top is reached. Cross a fence stile, a few metres beyond the orientation table. About a hundred metres further south you will notice a concrete watering trough. From there, you will discover a nice view on bois du Rompval. You can either observe from here or a few tens of metres from there, depending on light conditions and the dispersal of the migratory flow.
Where to stay and where to eat ?
A hotel named « le bois de Cise » http://www.lecise.fr/ is close to the watchpoint : we have not tried the pricey restaurant but it has a remarkable sea view.
Phone : 06 73 30 62 46
Phone : 06 89 01 08 89
Sightings
Stats
-3134.jpg "Thierry Rigaux")
