Surroundings and natural setting of the watchpoint

L’étang de l’Ayrolle is a vast brackish lagoon situated at Gruissan in the north and Port-la-nouvelle in the south. This expanse of water is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the east and by the lake of Bages-Sigean in the west. These extensive lagoons are separated by a narrow stretch of land which includes the Perpignan railway and la Robine Canal. The surface of the lagoon exceeds 1000 ha with an average depth of 0.75 m. The site holds good numbers of waders during winter. Up to 4500 Dunlins and Little Stints but also Grey Plovers visit the saltpans depending on water level (and wind). The spring migration watchpoint is near the fishermen’s huts at Gruissan, beyond the saltpans. With a northwesterly wind, this site is in a privileged position to observe migratory birds coming from Spain, across the Pyrenees, along the lake of Salses-Leucate and its cliffs, over the lakes of La Palme, Port-la-Nouvelle and île Sainte-Lucie. Migrants fly across the lagoon and reach the shore of étang de l’Ayrolle and île Saint-Martin. If the NW wind is strong and constant, migrant numbers are more important (particularly raptors and storks…). It is a good place to watch passerines but less so to count them. Passerines are arriving across a 6 km wide front but many of them will land upon reaching the shore. The lagoon is not only interesting for raptors and storks. Where the lagoon meets the sea, many waders, gulls and terns fly inland towards the nearby lake of Campignol.

History of the survey

The site has been surveyed for some ten years, but only irregularly. During the last 4 years, efforts are concentrated on April. In 2008, local volunteers have counted during 2,5 months, from early March until mid May. One of the major problems of the site is the hunting of Woodpigeon in March. The species is considered a pest in Aude department. This allows illegal hunting of species which are protected that time of the year, such as Lapwings or Skylarks.

Ornithological interest, emblematic species

Nearly 200 species were observed at the watchpoint or in the nearby Salicornia steppes and garrigue. L’étang de l’Ayrolle is famous for raptor watching from mid February onward (10 to 15 000 each spring), e.g. Marsh Harrier (1300+), Sparrowhawk (3000+) with top days reaching over 500 individuals. During May, thousands of Honey Buzzards can be seen. Other regularly sighted raptors include: Pallid Harrier (10+ en 2008), Osprey (150+) and Red-footed Falcon, Merlin (50+) or Hobby. White Storks and Black Storks are regularly seen and sometimes occur in good numbers. The location of the watchpoint, between the sea and the lagoon, also produces many sightings of gulls, terns and waders, e.g. Slender-billed and Audouin’s Gulls. The migration of swallows and martins (5 species), swifts and Bee-eaters is also impressive.

Access

From Narbonne, follow Gruissan. At Gruissan, follow Gruissan-village and drive round the village along the lake edge. Cross the bridge between the lagoon of Gruissan and the canal towards the sea. Turn left towards « salins de Gruissan » and drive down this road, until reaching a dead end on the shore of l’étang de l’Ayrolle. To the right you will see some fishermen’s huts; the watchpoint is on the right in the shade of a large tamarisk. When the northwesterly wind is less strong, another watchpoint is visited on the shore of étang de l’Ayrolle. It is on the head of a breakwater protecting a small natural harbour. To go there, starting from the saltpans, you should follow “domaine de l’évêque” (Bishop’s domain), shortly before the entrance, take a footpath along the lake shore. Follow this path all the way down. The watch point is in an abandoned clay pigeon shooting stand.

Where to stay and where to eat?

Most accommodation is situated at Gruissan. Contact the tourist office (04 68 49 09 00). Groups may prefer to contact Adas Inra in the mountains of la Clape (04 68 49 80 51) or CPIE des pays narbonnais (04 68 49 12 40). If you prefer to camp, you can try camping des mimosas between Gruissan and Narbonne (04 68 49 03 72). There is a wide variety of places to stay (but with a rather limited offer for groups). Gruissan, is a balnear town with plenty of small restaurants with highly variable prices.

Contact

AUDE NATURE

04 68 46 27 51- mailto:audenature@aliceadsl.fr

Website: http://www.audenature.com