Different plants for different environments:
Heath: Each kind of species is associated to a kind of heath identified by the level of humidity, the exposure, the nature of soil and subsoil (European heather and gorse bush)
Cliffs: lichens reign over the cliffs. Only few flowering plants such as Samphire have been able to get used to the environment.
Dunes: Dunes are rich and fragile areas. They are unable to recreate themselves naturally after the damages caused by human beings. Here, the dune is protected by marram (a big “grass”). (The Panicourt and “hare’s tail” or Lagure)
Mudflat: between land and sea, life hangs on to mudflats. It is the starting point of many food chains (salicornia).
The bird sanctuary is located next to the Cap Fréhel and hosts a diversity of birds.
They offer pleasures more spread in time and complementary to the Cap Fréhel and Verdelet birds sanctuaries.
The tallest duck in France recognizable by his red beak and his wide brown belt.
Very noisy in his flight, the canada gooose can be observed during the winter.
Especially visible in winter, around the bay of la Fresnaye, you can notice him because of his noisy disturbance.
With Gray plumage on top and pink legs
*The birds sanctuary of Cap Fréhel
On islands and continental cliffs of Cap Frehel , the soundscape is surprising: migratory or sedentary , many seabirds nest there . Skimming the waves and cliffs, their flights are admirable and the scenery is spectacular . Some are observable during the nesting and breeding times from the February to July. Others are observable throughout the year. The Cap Fréhel is a very interesting site throughout the year for an ornithologistic experience.
Our advise : do not forget our pair of binoculars
The flapping flight of this bird very close to the sea will be the criterion that will help you to easily distinguish him. He has is very dark brown plumage , contrasting with his pure white belly.
Present in the cliffs from November to mid-July.
The first are coming from January . Day after day , they occupy more and more the cliff to relay themselves permanently for hatching from late April to mid -July. Their flapping flights look like the guillemot flights . His plumage is black ( which can help you to differentiate them from Guillemot at the first sight ), and contrast with his pure white belly. His beak is more flattened and is more streaked with white lines. Present from January to mid-July
Also for the Nothern Fulmar , the flight technique will be the first tip that will allow you to identify him quickly. This is a bird who practice hovering taking advantage of the winds and sea current beneath the cliffs . His flight speed will leave the impression of a bird whose wings are blocked in a open position . The top of his wings is uniformly gray while his head and his belly are white. The first ones are coming next to the cliffs in December and the last ones are leaving the cliffs after mid- August. In May , just before spawning breeding, the couples leave fifteen days at sea , the naturalist call this step the ” honeymoon “.
The first gulls come in the cliffs in mid- January and become easily visible from April . Typically, they nest on rocky cliffs on which they build a nest made with seaweed , grass and mud . In flight, the tip of their wings is uniformly black , allowing to differentiate them from gulls . Their legs are black, with only three fingers hence their name . Listen carefully the cries of these birds , the latter regularly shout their name in English: ” kittiwake , kittiwake , … . “. The last ones leave in late August.
The Black-backed Gulls are the tallest gulls observable in Cap Fréhel and they are present throughout the year . Their black wings make them easy to recognize . Their flesh-colored legs help to ensure that you are not confusing with the brown gulls who have a slightly paled plumage with yellow legs . The young of other species have to be careful because the Black-backed Gulls often grab them by the neck and drop them on the water.
Quite difficult to see in Cap Fréhel, the Brown Gulls can easily be distinguished from other gulls thanks to their yellow legs. Formerly migratory , the adults of this specie are more and more sedentary.
Present from the end of this February to end of August
Present all year round , smaller and much rarer than the great cormorant, the common shag can be recognized thanks to his yellow beak . From winter to spring, do not hesitate to take your time and to observe his beautiful breeding plumage with metallic reflections and his small crest feather like Tintin . Mr cormorant is such a romantic , his gift for his girlfriend, it is the twig.
Present all year round.
last update 15/04/2016
The syndicate for the promotion of capes (Syndicat des Caps) offers the organisation of walks in nature, commented hikes by foot, by bike or kayak… for adults and for children. +33(0)2 96 41 57 23
