Where to watch our wildlife - Fédération des Parcs naturels

M A R A I S D U C O T E N T I N E T D U B E S S I N PA R C N AT U R E L R É G I O N A L
Where to watch our wildlife ?
D I S C O V E R
sites to visit
interpretation trails
observation points
www .par c-co tent in-b essi n.fr
NORMANDY
PARC NAT U R E L R É G I O N A L D E S M A R A I S D U COTENTIN ET DU BESSIN
Environment and landscapes
Marshlands
Introduction
CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
Foreshore
BARFLEUR
QUETTEHOU
CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
Moor
D 14
CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
Wood or forest
La Sinop
e
VALOGNES
Dune oor beach
SNCF
N 13
D 42
MONTEBOURG
D 24
BRICQUEBEC
Le M
16
erde
Marshlands,
between two coastlines…
D 42
ret
5
21
D4
4
D1
D1
D2
0
D 90
N 13
18
uve
La Do
STE-MÈREÉGLISE
D 15
13
17
D9
Chef-du-Pont
Baie
des Veys
D 70
13
La Douv
D 24
e
La Sèves
D9
03
Maison du Parc
Canal
3
D 90
Lithaire
des Es
La
s
ève
La S
D9
71
D 24
9
9
D2
e et Ta
La
ute
ves
y
L’A
ST-JEANDE-DAYE
La Te
rrette
LE MOLAY-LITTRY
SNCF
L’E
s
que
Moonsur-Elle
11
ST-CLAIRSUR-L'ELLE
74
7
N1
D 90
0
COUTANCES
COUTANCES
La Vire
La Terret
te
La Ve
nloue
Le Mesnilbus
Le
GRANVILLE
LE MONT ST-MICHEL
D6
La Taute
D 53
D 96
CAEN
PARIS
D8
D5
BAYEUX
CAEN
A 13 - PARIS
nne
e
D 68
ST-SAUVEURLENDELIN
Tor
to
D 29
D5
D8
D2
La Sè
Neuillyla-Forêt
D 77
St-Martind'Aubigny
D 52
La
13
TRÉVIÈRES
Vir
ancienne N 174
Marchésieux
D 29
7
n
ozo
Le L
D 57
0
L’Aure
10
Tribehou
D 90
D 650
e
GraignesMesnil Angot
ute
que
Colombières
L’Ell
St-Andréde-Bohon
PÉRIERS
6
Canal de Vi
r
L’Aure
L’Es
D 11
8
La Ta
L’Aure
D5
174
50
4
ISIGNYSUR-MER
SNCF
5
3
L’Ay
e
Vir
PORTEN-BESSIN
N 13
12
N
ne
ien
anc
D6
LESSAY
la
CARENTAN
D 72
2
an à
aute
La T
D 900
t
Caren
3
s
Méautis
D 136
l de
N1
pagnol
uvers
Canal d’A
LA HAYEDU-PUITS
14
D 29
Vindefontaine
Me
r
1
PORTBAIL
D1
15
a
20
C an
G
D 514
ouve
Le
Les Moitiersen-Bauptois
et
org
D 70
La Se
nelle
D
La D
BARNEVILLECARTERET
15
ire
ST-SAUVEURLE-VICOMTE
La V
19
The Mont de Doville
p. 3
2 The Havre at Saint-Germain-sur-Ay
p. 4
3 Mathon peat bog
p. 6
4 The Lande du Camp p. 7
5 Saint-Patrice-de-Claids heaths
p. 8
6 Sursat pond
p. 9
7 Rouges-Pièces reedbed
p. 10
8 Bohons Reserve p. 11
9 The Port des Planques p. 12
10 The Château de la Rivière p. 13
11 The Claies de Vire p. 14
12 The Aure marshes
p. 15
13 The Colombières countryside
p. 16
14 The Ponts d’Ouve “Espace Naturel Sensible” p. 17
15 The Veys bay p. 18-19
16 The East coast seashore
from Utah-Beach to Morsalines p. 20-21
17 The Domaine de Beauguillot
and the Sainte-Marie-du-Mont polders p. 22
18 Fresville géosite
p. 23
19 Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte public forest
p. 24
20 Sangsurière and Adriennerie Nature Reserve
p. 25
Other sites to watch wildlife p. 26-27
1
FFields and hedgerows
Loz
on
SNCF
SAINT-LÔ
MARIGNY
COUTANCES
RENNES
VILLEDIEU-LES-POELES
A84 - LE MONT ST-MICHEL
BAYEUX
CAEN
L’Ell
e
For further information
Where to watch our wildlife ?
The Mont de Doville
1
49.32218, -1.56051
3 km - 1h30
Look for
The marshes between two seas
Typical heath flora ( 1 Bell
heather, 4 Cross-leaved heath,
Heather, 2 Dwarf gorse and
Western gorse, Bristle Bent,
3 Deergrass, Marsh gentian,
Small-flowered catchfly…).
Dartford warbler breeds.
Marshes, peat bogs, heaths, rivers, estuaries, dunes, hedgerows…, there is a vast diversity of
habitats within the parc.
There are large expanses of water-meadows criss-crossed by canals and ditches; from a distance
these marshes appear uniform. However, once in them this false impression is soon put to rights.
The soil type (peaty or mineral), topography and thus humidity, agricultural use all influence
the multitude of plant formations that occur. And, in winter they take on a completely different
aspect: the meadows are covered in water forming an extensive lake surrounded by hedgerows.
At its outlet, the freshwater meeting the sea gives rise to estuaries fringed by salt-marshes and
dunes. Here, the daily changing of the tide is responsible for an ever changing landscape. On an
important migration route, between the Scandinavian and Siberian tundra and African wetlands
and bush, the Baie des Veys and the Saint-Germain-sur-Ay bay are used by thousands of migrant
birds.
In the west of the region, the Lessay heaths have within extensive areas of Maritime pines a
reminding remnant of the “Grande Lande” (Big heath) immortalise in the writings of Barbey
d’Aurevilly.
1
2
3
4
Named “Escalleclif” (the bald escarpment) by Scandinavian colonists,
the 127 metres summit of the Mont de Doville looks over the marshes,
the Bauptois area and Jersey. Its top is covered in low heather and gorse
heath, whereas its flanks are occupied by taller heath of gorse and common oak.
Heather heaths dotted with peat bogs are a witness of a difficult geography both for plants and
past land use.
t
e
gorg
l
Compared to other regions, woodland and forest are rare here, but trees aree everywhere. Here is
one of the bastions of the French hedgerow countryside. This manmade landscape is relatively
well conserved here. The presence of two different geological formations, the massif Armoricain
and the Parisian basin as well as past and present land use explains hedgerow diversity (tree
species, field size, tree size…).
Remarkable
monument
Interpretation trails: start
Hide
Information
Footpath: start
National nature
reserve
Path
Protected area
GPS coordinates
2
La Duperquerie
La Perrerie
Moulin
Le mont
de Doville
Corps de garde
Chapelle
Saint-martin
La Fosseyrie
Le Roncheret
vers Doville
et la D900
Signposted from the D900 road
between La Haye-du-Puits and
Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte.
Interpretation boards along the
paths.
La Scellerie
La Volerie
La Maison
Langlois
La Renauderie
From April to July for birds.
June to August for plants.
n
Observation points
La Noblesse
When to look ?
La Jouennerie
37
La
Carrière
La Besnarderie
le Bu
iss
o
La Guilberderie
“Where to watch our wildlife ?” invites the visitor to discover this mosaic of different habitats
by choosing a selection of sites open to the public.
Sites to visit
D137
La Brière
D3
Le Boscq
La Louetterie
La Fontaine
Saint-martin
La Hostinguerie
back to
summary
3
2
The Havre at Saint-Germain-sur-Ay
49.21874, -1.60895
5 km - 2h
La Gaverie
Le Pilier Des Fontaines
Hameau Ermisse
v
u
e
Les Fosses à Lin
l' O
Les Blanchettes
Les Royales
Corps de garde
D6
50
L'Yvourie
Les Mares
D72
Les Mézières
Les Salines
l a B ro s
se
La Doyennerie
Le havre de Saint-Germain-sur-Ay
Les Carrières
Pointe
du Becquet
Le Haut Dy
u
Hameau
Legruel
la
Go
Le Bel utte
ès Cygnes
Le Gué
de l'Orme
La Morte
Femme
Saint-Germain-sur-Ay Havre (Havre are morphologically specific to the
west Cotentin coast – the nearest in English is haven) is an estuary
closed by a sand bar to the north constantly supplied with sand by the
sea currant parallel to the coast. Here is a complete spectrum of estuarine
habitats: salt-marsh, colonization areas of glasswort and seablite, sand
bars and mudflats.
Two sand dune formations, also very diversified, frame the “havre”: the
“pointe du Banc” (Saint-Germain-sur-Ay) and the “pointe du Becquet”
(Créances).
l e Fi e
l’Ay
Les Caves du Haut Dy
0
D652
D65
Mer
de la
Manche
Pointe du Banc
Les Caves
vers Créances
Look for
4
Salt-marsh flora (Glasswort, Orache, Sea wormwood,
1 Sea aster…) and in the dunes (the maritime sub-species of
Round-leaved wintergreen, 2 Jersey pink, Meadow violet, Brookweed, Bee orchid…).
Various birds occur on migration or in winter (Brent goose,
Shelduck, various waders, Osprey, terns…).
Breeding birds include: Shelduck, 3 Oystercatcher and Sand
martin. Breeding amphibians include ( 4 Parsley frog, Natterjack toad, Marbled newt…).
When to look ?
1
2
3
4
From April to August for plants.
From August to March and May
for wintering and migrant birds.
March to July for breeding
birds.
March to May for amphibians.
Various view-points around the “havre” are worth visiting: corps de garde
(guardroom), «pointe du Banc», «pointe du Becquet».
Interpretation trail in the dunes of Créances signposted from the D650 road
between Lessay and Pirou.
For seeing waders, best to look during a rising tide.
Be careful there are often strong currents in the various canals which can be
dangerous.
back to
summary
5
3
Mathon peat bog
Look for
Flora typical of acid and alkaline peat bogs (Bog rosemary, 1 Greater spearwort,
2 Sundews, 4 Brown beaksedge, Bog asphodel…) and
of heath (Bell heather, Heather,
Dwarf gorse…).
Breeding birds include: Water
rail, wetland warblers (Reed,
Grasshopper, Savi’s and Sedge),
and Nightjar. There are 25 species of Dragonfly ( 3 Variable
damselfly, Four-spotted libellula…).
"
Lessay
49.21589, -1.52453
4
The Lande du Camp
Look for
Heathland flora ( 3 Cross-leaved
heath, Heather, Dwarf gorse,
1 Marsh gentian…) and of peat
bogs (sundews, Harestail cotton-grass, Bog rosemary, Shoreweed…).
Dartford warbler and 2 Nightjar
nest.
There’s a large Alcon blue butterfly colony.
Smooth snake occurs.
Lessay
49.18910, -1.50231 3 km - 1h30
#
La Maison Du
1 Garde
2
Le Petit Gaslonde
Mathon peat bog national nature reserve covers a small peat depression
D652
between the heaths at Lessay to the south and Ay marshes to the north.
Covering less than 16 hectares, created in 1973, not only is it one of the
smallest national nature reserves in France but also one of the oldest.
Despite its small size there is a good diversity of habitats (woodland,
meadows, heath, peat bogs and marsh).
Historically the site belonged to the inhabitants of Lessay, and then a mi-
du Littoral”. A mosaic of dry and wet heath
andPalla
peat bogs, the site is one
La Vallée
of the last examples of Mathon
the vast heath that covered Lessay. The reinstitution of grazing (goats, sheep, cattle) in order to keep the habitat open is a
new stage in the sites history.
Gaslonde
Le Haut Bois
La Jeanneterie
Le Moulin
à Vent
Le Hamet
Lessay
vers
Créances Le Petit
Gaslonde
La Vallée Palla
Mathon
D900
From May to August for plants.
La Gardiennerie
From April to August for breeding birds.
From
June to September for
Hocquet
dragonflies.
Access is strictly controlled,
special access on request from the
“Cotentin CPIE” or during organised
guided outings in summer.
Information: CPIE du Cotentin
(02.33.46.37.06)
Access form the centre of Lessay.
0
June to August for plants.
April to July for birds.
du Camp
Hameau
Marguerin
Similar sites
Cavilly
The common heaths at Millières,
Muneville-le-Bingard. Vesly-Pissot.
Le Buisson
vers
Coutances
B
Car park on the D394 road between
Cavilly
Bocage of Hottot and Rendurie
theLevillages
Interpretation trail leaflet
available at Lessay Tourist Office
(02.33.45.14.34) or Cotentin CPIE La Rou
(02.33.46.37.06).
Beware, the site is often flooded in
winter.
La lande
Hottot
Nearby
“La Montagne” interpretation trail.
back to summary
3
When to look ?
Hôtel Coquet
e
vers
Coutances
When to look ?
Les Grands Bois
D90
vers
Lessay
la Goutt
D2
6
vers
Périers
4
94
Gaslonde
Le Vivier
Bellée
D3
Le Ferrage
La tourbière
de Mathon
3
h
D2
D900
La Montagne
l
et
qu
oc
La Petite
Vallée
Le Moulin
cla
Le Ferrage
e
La Paperie
La Croix
2
rivière de
l'ay
" Tourbière de mathon
litary zone,(réserve
the Lande
du
Camp
has
since
been
sold
to
the
“Conservatoire
Lessay
naturelle)
La Bastonnerie
vers
La Hayedu-Puits
1
Forêt de Vesly-Pissot
La Rendurie
Nearby
La Guillaumerie
Buisson interpretation trail.
7
5
Saint-Patrice-de-Claids
heaths
49.22760, -1.43316
Look for
Peat bog and heath flora
(Bell heather, 4 Heather, Dwarf
gorse, 2 Oblong-leaved sundew,
Brown beak-sedge, 1 White
beak-sedge, Deergrass, Marsh
gentian…).
3 Nightjar nests.
A small population of the Alcon
blue butterfly.
More than ten species of dragonflies.
1,9 km - 2h
6
Sursat pond
Pirou
49.16288, -1.53809 3,5 km - 2h
Look for
Peat bog flora ( 1 Bog rosemary,
Brown sedge-grass, Deergrass,
2 Lesser bladderwort…).
14 species of Dragonfly occur (Scarce emerald damselfly, Goblet-marked damselfly,
3 Black sympetrum…).
Nightjars occur.
la rue du brocq
1
1
2
le moitier
bas deappeared
la rue pirou
The first woodland of the ancient commonleheaths
at the end of
2
Confined within Pirou communal forest, Sursat pond is one of the last
peat bogs of the Lessay heaths. In a depression, it receives water form
nearby springs. The stagnant, acid waters favour the growth of sphagnum, mosses typical of peat bogs that contribute to peat formation.
the 19th century and was cut for use in mines during the 1914-1918 war.
There as a second large-scale planting of trees during
the 1950s. le haut de la rue
la calière
Nowadays the Maritime pine dominates
the
Saint-Patrice-de-Claids
comla jammerie
la demeure
munal forest but it nevertheless has a fine diversity of habitats: dry heath,
peat heath, ponds, streams, deciduous woodland…
le château blanc
bourgogne
le pavillon
le far west
la croix vindy
la liroterie
vers
Saint-Jores
La Hédouinerie
La Bayonnerie
pirou plage
la saurie
la barberie
les ?croutes
When to look
D24
château de pirou
Le Domaine
8
La Campagne
la prévellerie gavron
vers
Périers
D94
Similar sites
La Feuillie and Créances communal
forests (Buisson).
D2
Les landes de Saint-Patrice
An interpretation trail is signposted
from the D24 road between Périers
and Saint-Jores.
!
la gauderie l'éventard
vers
Pirou-Pont
la brassinerie
rond buisson
April to June for birds.
June to August for plants.
June to September for dragonle grand heugueville
flies.
April to June for birds.
le pont
la groucerie
Le Pont Joliment
When to look ?
vers
Lessay
June to
August for plants.
la maison
neuve
La Bonserie
la piloteriela bosquerie
La Val
3
4
3
vers
Coutances
Car park from the D94 road
between Pirou-Pont and the D2
(Lessay – Coutances road).
A footpath accessible from the car
park crosses the tree studded heath
to the south of the peat bog.
Be careful, peat bogs are fragile
places, please don’t trample the
site.
back to
summary
9
7
Rouges-Pièces reedbed
A voir
49.21136, -1.27022 8
Flora of alkaline peat bogs
( 1 orchids, Marsh pea, Pale butterwort, Marsh fern…).
Wetland warblers breed (Grasshopper, 3 Sedge, Fan-tailed) as
does Willow warbler.
The area’s good for crickets and
grasshoppers (Water-meadow
grasshopper,
Short-winged
conehead, 2 Large marsh
grasshopper, Mole-cricket).
Marchésieux
0,8 km - 30 min.
1
Look for
Bohons reserve
Flora of both alkaline and acid
bogs, (orchids, Marsh pea, sundews, 2 Marsh lousewort…)
and ditches (Water violet, Greater bladderwort…).
Breeding Lapwing and flood
meadow passerines (Blueheaded wagtail, Sedge warbler…).
Resting and wintering site
for waterfowl (Teal, Shoveler,
1 Gadwall, 3 Snipe…).
Saint-Georges-de-Bohon
49.26348, -1.24026
1
2
At the confluence of the Taute and the Lozon, the Rouge-Pièces reedbed
forms an uplifted island of peat. Once used for providing “rotz”, a mixture
of tough marsh grasses used for thatching, it was abandoned for a time.
Today, the central meadow is surrounded by stands of willow with clearings of tall grasses.
The Bohons no-hunting reserve is situated in the widest part of the Taute
valley. It’s a vast area of peat meadows criss-crossed by channels and
ditches; the sections of open water were digged in the 70s specifically for
waterfowl. This ancient communal marsh is rented and managed by the
“Manche Departmental Hunters Federation”.
3
Le Quesnoy du Haut
Le Port
May to July for plants and birds.
e
La Quenotterie
es
ed
G
r
iviè
R
Marais de Cap
e
L'Équillau
et de Faune Sauvage
res
f
ouf
Maison
des
Ormes
t
Tau
la T
aut
La Réserve de Chasse
SaintQuentin
des Bohons
Saint-Julien
Le Flaguet
Saint-Georges-de-Bohon
ve
eu
L'Abbaye
ièr
eN
Tribehou
Riv
Le Port
Marais du Fetz
Le Mesnil
Cap
Reserve visits only with a guide.
Information: Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de la
Manche (02.33.72.63.63).
Access from Saint-Georges-de-Bohon village.
Nearby
The “Maison des Ormes”
interpretation trail.
la
Rivière du Moulin
Grand marais
La Pire Lande
te
zon
l
Périers
Le Grand Pré
ssé
Fo
la Tau
Lo
nd
ra
eG
L'Isle
La roselière
vers
Marchésieux des Rouges-Pièces
le
Les Terres Le Désert
vers Rouges
La Manerie
May to July for plants.
April to August for breeding
birds.
October to February for wintering birds.
et
D57
Auverville
D29
Nearby
The “abri gabare” discovery site at
Tribehou.
Marais de la Baritte
10
An interpretation trail is signposted
from the D57 road between SaintAndré-de-Bohon and Marchésieux.
Be careful, the site is often flooded
in winter.
When to look ?
La Galloterie
La Hougue
ire
eV
al d
9
D2
Le Moulin
La 3
Fourchette
vers
Carentan
71
D9
D90
L'eau Partie
can
La Brechollerie
3
When to look ?
Le Quesney
2
back to summary
11
Montmartin-en-Graignes
49.26208, -1.19855
4 km - 2h
Flora of both alkaline and acid
bogs (orchids, Marsh pea…) and
of ditches (Water violets, 1 Bogbean…).
Nesting Bittern, 3 Marsh
and
Montagu’s
harriers,
Curlew and Lapwing, and
flood
meadow
passerines
( 2 Whinchat, Blue-headed wagtail…).
Several White stork nests in the
surrounding countryside. Harrier
roost in winter. Resting and wintering wetland birds (Great egret,
Snipe…).
1
vers ancienne
RN 174
Le Courval
Saint-Nicolas
L'Écluse
Le Port des Planques
l
na
Ca
D89
ee
Vir
te
au
tT
vers Graignes
Look for
Ditch flora.
1 2 3 White stork colony (about
twenty pairs).
1
Marais de Penême
2
The “Château de la Rivière” was built in the 11th century by Odon de
Carteville, half-brother of William the Conqueror. When built it was on the
side of the sea, on the Vire estuary. Today its ruins are in the heart of the
Saint-Fromond marsh, some 10 km from the sea.
The chateau was badly destroyed in 1944, in the battle following the Normandy landings.
There’s a colony of White storks on the walls that remain.
When to look ?
May and July for plants.
April to August for nesting birds.
October to February for wintering birds.
Access from the D89 road between
the old RN174 road and GraignesMesnil Angot.
Be careful, during winter the
footpath is often flooded. The
regional nature reserve is closed to
the public.
Similar sites
The “Maison des Ormes” at MontMartin-en-Graignes, the “Marais du
Rivage” at Auvers.
3
Can
vers Carentan
al d
La Tringale
eV
ire
Château de la Rivière
et T
aut
When to look ?
March to August for the White
Storks.
e
Le Pont
Bignon
La Rivière
La Corbetterie
D 974
de
Marais du
Grand Mont
Marais
du Rotz
Le Rotz
49.24447, -1.11468
Silly
At the end of the D377 road accessible form the D445 road between
Saint-Fromond and Saint-Jean-deDaye.
Be careful, the chateau and
surrounding marshes are private,
please stay on the tracks.
La Ruette
La Comté
45
D4
La Vallée
Audeville
Saint-Jean-de-Daye
vers Saint-Lô
77
Le Clos
12
Saint-Fromond
3
Le Petit Hameau
Marais de la
Petite
Commune
10
2
The trail that leaves from Port des Planques follows the Vire-Taute canal.
Built during the industrial revolution, the canal allowed “gabares” traditional flat-bottomed boats, to go between Saint-Lô and Carentan without
going on the sea. Other than that, the trail allows extensive views over
peat marshes including the Marais de la Taute regional nature reserve,
owned by the “Groupe Ornithologique Normand” – the local bird group.
Marais
du Fetz
The “Château de la Rivière”
Look for
D3
9
The Port des Planques
La Briquerie
vers
Saint-Fromond
back to
summary
13
The Claies de Vire
11
12
La Meauffe
49.17826, -1.11480
The Aure marshes
Look for
Flora of water meadow (Marsh
stitchwort, Narrow-leaved water
dropwort, Lady’s smock…) and
ditches (Water violet, 3 Frogbit,
Common meadow-rue…).
Lapwing, Marsh harrier and various water meadow passerines
nest (Whinchat, 1 Blue-headed
wagtail, 2 Sedge warbler…).
Several White stork nests in the
surrounding countryside.
Saint-Germain-du-Pert
49.33067, -1.03933 5 km - 2h30
Look for
2 Migratory fish (Allis shad, Atlantic salmon, Sea trout…).
Breeding Grey wagtail and
1 Kingfisher.
1
Fishpond, lock, mill and small electricity dam have all succeeded each
other over the centuries at Claies de Vire. Today the site has been converted to a fish watch point. Populations of Allis shad and Atlantic salmon
pass the site on their way to their spawning grounds and are presently
increasing.
N174
Les Claies
de Vire
SaintGilles
Les Pézerils
La Cornicaillerie
4
D5
La Herbaudière
Pont-Hébert
Le Joliet
Le Lieu Débonnaire
D 124
La Croix Bunouf
La Laiterie
vers
Saint-Lô
vers
Canchy
Les
Buttes
La Perruque
Hameau
Pinson
Le Sillon
de la Voie
Le Lieu
Hébert
Le Jonquet
Les Grandes Mares
La Meauffe
Quartier du Pont
La Perelle
back to summary
es
Les Folies
Foli
Jonque
Coquet
du
la
1
14
vers
Osmanville
V ir e
D974E
Hameau Braihat
t
La Vengerie
Discovery site signposted from the
centre of La Meauffe.
A guide is present at the fish watch
point Monday and Wednesday
afternoons from April to early June.
Information : Fédération Départementale de Pêche de la Manche
(02.33.46.96.50)
Saint-Germaindu-Pert
La Girotterie
des
Le Hameau
Billard
When to look ?
April-May for Shad.
October-November for Salmon
and Sea trout.
Le Hameau Thomasse
3
cours
D974E1
Les Fourneaux
vers
St-Clair-sur-Elle
2
As with the similar Cotentin area, the Aure marshes in the Bessin are
an extensive area of water meadows interlaced with many canals and
ditches. Here, trees (essentially willows) are rare and horizons distant.
In winter, water overflowing from the rivers associated with the lands
flatness means for extensive flooding so that for a few weeks the marshes
are under water: locally termed “la blanchie”. In summer, water is found
only in ponds and ditches, even though the water table is just under the
soil surface.
2
vers
Saint-Jean-de-Daye
Le Clos
Bessin
1
rs
cou
Hameau
Raiton
Quand voir ?
May to August for plants.
April to August for breeding birds.
October to February for wintering birds.
Interpretation trail signposted from
the D124 road between Osmanville
and Canchy.
Be careful, the trail is often flooded
in winter.
Similar sites
The “Marais de l’Elle” trail at
Neuilly-la-Forêt and “Marais SaintClair” trail at Marchésieux. The
“Landscape through the ages”
at Picauville.
15
The Colombières
13 countryside
49.29699, -0.98032
Look for
Hedgerow flora ( Early purple
orchid,
Lesser
celandine,
4 Hartstongue, Male fern), ancient oaks.
Breeding hedgerow passerines
(warblers, thrushes, Redstart,
tits…).
Breeding marshland birds, hunting Hobby, and Little and Cattle
egrets.
Wintering hedgerow birds
( 2 Fieldfare, finches…).
Several 3 White stork nests in
the surrounding countryside.
1
10,5 km - 3h
1
l'e
in d
'Anne
bey
sq
oul
du
M
se
au
rui
Hameau Minet
Le Château
Le Perrey
ou
dra
y
du C
e
D5
Le Buisson
Le Couvent
L'isle
La Poterie
Le
Feuillet
Ferme de
la Ronde
La Basse
Rivière
La Campagne
!
Colombières
Le Lieu
Vaudel
La Malvoye
Ferme des
Hutereaux
The “Maison du Parc” – parc visitor centre, starting
point for visiting the reserve, proposes various services that complement a reserve visit: information,
films, exhibitions, informative garden and shop.
4
When to look ?
vers RN 13
L'Amont
November to March for migrant
and over-wintering duck.
July to March for migrant and
over-wintering waders.
April to July for nesting birds
and plants.
la Jou
rdan
Start of the hiking trail from the
church car park in the centre of
Colombières.
Be careful, in winter, that part of
the trail that crosses the marshes
is often flooded.
!
Maison du Parc
les Ponts d’Ouve
On the D913 road between SaintCôme-du-Mont and Carentan.
Paying entrance. Unaccompanied
or guided visits. Opening times
and conditions on the back of this
leaflet.
!
!
! !
l des
e
ouv
la D
espa
gnols
l
rou
la G
t
71
Cana
La Houssaye
Corainville
3
St-Côme-du-Mont
Cana
vers
Le MolayLittry
La Perruque
ru
iss
eau d
e Corainville
La Lande
au
16
La Campagne
Le Bouillon
Manoir
vers LeBéatrix
Vouilly
iss
La Perelle
Thionville
Saint-Jores
ru
Château de
Colombières
La Maresquerie
Lieu
Folleville
2
* a form of local nature reserve
D913
Ferme de la
Suharderie
Le Lieu Gilles
1
April to August for plants.
April to June for breeding birds.
Le Lieu
du Cheval
5,5 km - 2h30
When to look ?
s
Resting and over-wintering wetland birds ( 3 Teal, 3 Shoveler,
Garganey, Snipe, 1 Bittern…).
Breeding wetland warblers
(Sedge, Savi’s and Marsh)
Bluethroat, Marsh harrier and
Bittern.
27 species of dragonfly (Hairy
dragonfly, 2 Emperor dragonfly…).
In the heart of the Douve marshes, the Ponts d’Ouve “Espace Naturel
Sensible”* has been set up for visitors to discover marshes. Several hides
allow the visitor to see the lakes and its reedbeds wildlife whilst the trail
winds through the water meadows.
3
ue
Saint-Côme-du-Mont
49.32163, -1.26567
A voir
2
The walk through the Colombières countryside allows the visitor to discover another part of the Aure marshes and especially the hedgerow
countryside of higher land.
The marshes are a transition zone between the limestone and marls of
the Parisian bassin to the north and the schists and sandstones of the
Armoricain massif to the south. The countryside here is dominated by oaks
and sweet chestnuts, whereas to the north the disappearance of Elms has
given way to Ash and Field maple. Meadows, crops, hedgerows, ponds
and orchards allow the visitor to see wildlife typical of the countryside of
western France.
marais suhard
The Ponts d’Ouve
14 “Espace Naturel Sensible”
la Madeleine
l gra
vier
Carentan
vers
Périers
D9
Pommenauque
back to
summary
17
15
The Veys bay
49.36208, -1.15506
Banc de la Ravine
Le Grand Vey
de
ère
i
v
i
R
Passe de Carentan
l’E
sc
alg
rai
n
!
Pointe de Brévands
Polder du Rouff
Polder du
Petit Saint-André
Polder
du Carmel
La pointe
du Groin
ren
tan
à la
me
r
Polder St-Marguerite
9
D8
nal
de
Ca
Polder du Grand Saint-André
Ca
The sea outlet for the Cotentin and Bessin marshes, the bay receives water of the four rivers (Aure, Vire, Taute and Douve).
The mix of fresh and sea water and large amount of sediments are the
reason for a very productive ecosystem, particularly a rich food source
for wildlife. A fringe of salt-marsh, only flooded during the highest tides,
has developed in front of the polder dykes. Beyond it, 4000 hectares of
mudflats are uncovered at low tide.
Polder Frémont
vers Brévands
Le Chalet
La Grève
La Coquerie
1
When to look ?
Look for
Salt-marsh plants (Glasswort, Sea purslane, Sea aster…).
Thousands of wintering and resting wetland birds
( 3 Brent goose, Shelduck, Dunlin, 2 Ringed plover,
Oystercatcher…) and birds of prey (Osprey, Shorteared owl…).
A group of 1 Common seals (some 100 animals).
18
2
2
April to August for plants.
August to March and May for
waders.
October for geese.
August to October for seals.
Various other viewpoints around the bay: the port at Brévands and the Pont de
Reux.
Observation site at the Pointe de Brévands.
For seeing waders, best to look during a rising tide ; for seals it’s best to look at
low tide.
Stay on tracks, don’t walk onto the polders.
Be careful there are often strong currents in the various canals around the bay
which can be dangerous.
43
back to
summary
19
The East coast seashore
from Utah-Beach to Morsalines
49.45053, -1.21653
High beach flora ( 2 Sea rocket,
Sea kale…), sand dune flora
( 4 Marsh heleborine, Adderstongue, Creeping willow…).
Breeding Shelduck and 3 Kentish plover.
Thousands of resting and overwintering birds (Brent goose,
1
Dunlin, 1 Sanderling,
Turnstone, Ringed plover, Mediterranean gull, terns…).
1
Anse du
Cul de loup
vers Quettehou
D14
16
Morsalines
Look for
Crasville
AumevilleLestre
Lestre
2
Quinéville
D42
D14
Les Gougins
3
4
Fontenay-sur-Mer
When to look ?
Ravenoville plage
Ravenoville
4
D1
vers
Caen
1
vers
Cherbourg
D1
5
3
back to summary
St-Marcouf-de-l’Isle
RN 1
Various sites to visit
Islets and top of the boulder beach
at Lestre, shell beach at SaintMarcouf, top of the beach between
Ravenoville and Audouville-laHubert.
An incoming tide is best for watching waders.
D42
April to June for plants.
April to August for Kentish
plover.
August to March and May for
migrant and wintering waders.
20
1
vers
Montebourg
D42
From Utah-Beach to Morsalines is a long beach sometimes backed by low
dunes (Utah-Beach, Fontenay-sur-Mer). Towards the north near the Cul
de Loup spit the substrate becomes muddier allowing the development of
a small salt-marsh between Lestre and Crasville. The streams that drain
the east side of the marshes flow onto the beach via sluices constructed
on the dunes or dykes whereas the Sinope estuary has a more natural
configuration.
vers SainteMère-Eglise
Foucarville
St-Germainde-Varreville
vers Sainte-
Marie-du-Mont
vers
Utah-Beach
21
The Domaine de Beauguillot
17
and the Sainte-Marie-du-Mont polders
49.39004, -1.17629 2 km - 1h30
Look for
Salt marsh flora (Glasswort, Sea
purslane, Sea aster…). Thousands of birds make a stopover or pass the winter (Teal, 2
Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 1 Greylag
goose, Brent goose, Dunlin, Ringed plover, Oystercatcher…) as
do birds of prey (Peregrine, Hen
harrier…). Wetland birds nest
(Lapwing, Shelduck, Little grebe,
passerines…).
A Common seal colony.
1
géosite
18 Fresville
49.44029, -1.38538 2 km - 2h
Look for
Numerous Jussic fossils.
Calcareous grassland plants
( 1 Bee orchid, Slender wild oat,
Purging flax…).
Passage and wintering of waterfowl (Pochard and 2 Tufted
duck…).
1
2
Fresville géosite includes a lake surrounded by cliffs, calcareous grassland and young woodland. From the early 20th century until 1984 the site
was a quarry where men and machines extracted limestone. This extraction brought to evidence the geological history of Normandy (Jurassic limestone and marl and Cetacean green clay and sand).
On the side of the Veys bay, the Domaine de Beauguillot and Sainte-Mariedu-Mont polders were once a salt marsh successive claimed from the sea
by four embankments constructed between 1824 and 1972. The polders and
their maritime fringe are classed as a National Nature Reserve except for
the southern polder classed as a no hunting reserve. The flooded meadows
are a refuge for thousands of migrant or wintering wetland birds. The management of water levels enables birds to nest in spring. On the sea side of
the embankments, waders and seals occur on the salt marsh and mudflats.
3
D32
9
La Bedelle
Le Beau
Prenant
Les Grandies
Le Mur
Interpretation trail with hides is
signposted from Utah-Beach.
Stay on the tracks, please don’t
enter the polders.
Réserve naturelle
du Domaine de Beauguillot
d
Les Poteries
Le Frêne Bisson
vers
Ecrammeville
La Cour
D2
Le Goulet
69
Le Hesnay
Bancs du Grand Vey
April to June for plants.
April to August for breeding
birds.
October to February for wintering birds.
Interpretation trail signposted from
the centre of Fresville.
Tamerville
rée
La Gare
22
Gonneville
La Vallée
Fer
Pouppeville
Beauguillot
eau
i ss
Ru
When to look ?
l
ise
Co
voie
La Petite
Dune
November to April for duck and
geese.
August to March and May for
waders.
April to July for breeding birds.
e
La Dune
vers SainteMarie-du-Mont
2
When to look ?
D9
13
vers Utah-Beach
Grainville
La Lande
Fresville
vers
RN13
Les Hauts Vents
L'Épinette
Vauville
back to
summary
23
Sangsurière and Adriennerie
20 Nature Reserve Doville
Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte
19 public forest
49.37589, -1.59314 Look for
Flora of alkaline and acid bogs
(orchids, 4 sundews, 1 Harestail cotton-grass, Brown beaksedge, 3 Bog asphodel…).
Breeding Lapwing and 2 Curlew, Bluethroat and various
wetland warblers (Grasshopper,
Sedge…).
Winter roost of Marsh and Hen
harriers.
Passage and wintering aquatic
birds (Snipe, Lapwing…).
49.33318, -1.59100
2 km - 1h30
Look for
Forest and heath flora (Bell
heather, Heather, 2 Marsh
St.-John’s wort, 3 Bog pimpernel…).
Breeding birds include Middle
spotted woodpecker, 1 Honey
buzzard, Wood and Dartford warblers and Nightjar…).
1
2
The 234 hectares of the Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte forest are all that remains of an ancient Royal estate thought to have covered 2000 hectares.
It’s composed mainly of coppice under fine Oak or Beech with a few Pines
here and there. There are a few majestic, ancient Beeches in the forest.
An arboretum brings an exotic touch to the area. Nearby, at the top of the
“Mont de Besneville”, heath completes the scene.
vers
Portbail
3
La Forêt
D130
La Faisanderie
Le Paradis
When to look ?
March to July for plants.
February to July for breeding
birds.
Catteville
D21
5
u
sea
Forêt domaniale de Saint-sauveur
vers SaintSauveur-le-Vicomte
ruis
vers
St-Sauveurle-Vicomte
le Gorget
Marais de l'Anse
du
Pon
de Catteville
t d 'A ll e au me
Interpretation trail signposted from
the D15 road between Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte and Portbail.
Marais de l'Adriennerie
Marais de la Sangsurière
vers Portbail
Taillepied
D900
Château de
Beaulieu
Mont de Doville
St-Nicolasde-Pierrepont
Bois d'Etenclin
son
24
Le Jardin Boissy
Interpretation site on the D137 road
between Saint-Nicolas-de-Pierrepont and Saint-Sauveur-de-Pierrepont. Guided visits in spring and
summer. Information : Maison du
Parc (02.33.71.65.30).
Doville
uis
Le Bas
du Mont
on
uiss
le B
D137
le B
D15
St-Sauveurde-Pierrepont
D127
Les Marais
4
May to July for plants.
April to August for breeding
birds.
rget
vers
St-Sauveurle-Vicomte
3
When to look ?
le Go
Mont de
Besneville
2
Situated upstream of the Cotentin marshes, the Sangsurière and Adriennerie National Nature Reserve is one of the best preserved peat marshes
of the area. Common land belonging to the inhabitants of the four surrounding parishes, the marsh has two main parts: a central zone of peat
heath dominated by high grasses, and an outer zone consisting of peat
meadows still used by farmers.
D900
La Poterie
1
vers
La-Haye-du-Puits
back to
summary
25
Cap de
la Hague
Other sites to watch wildlife
24
25
Pointe
de Barfleur
Cherbourg
21
22
23
24
26
Île
Tatihou
LA MANCHE
16
18
Pa r c
19
Baie du
Mont St-Michel
Falaises de Carolles
Aquatic birds.
Salt-marsh flora.
A Common seal colony.
Migrant passerines
(cabane Vauban).
25
26
Réserve de chasse
Geffosses
Presence of Waterfowl.
27
Pointe de la Hague
naturel
régional
20
1
Nesting seabirds, Peregrine… Heathland flora
(cliffs and islands).
Presence of waterfowl, dune
flora, amphibians (Mare de
Vauville reserve).
Migration (at Goury
lighthouse).
2
5
Anse du cul de loup Pointe du Hoc
Cricqueville-en-Bessin
Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
Migrant seabirds.
Presence of waterfowl.
26
Breeding Kittiwake, Fulmar,
Peregrine…
Migration (Criqueville mill).
27
14
Isigny-sur-Mer
12
Carentan
8
13
9
Bayeux
10
7
4
11
6
28
Saint-Lô
28
Coutances
LA MANCHE
Phare de Gatteville
Baie
des Veys
15
des Marais du
Cotentin et du Bessin
3
23
17
Granville
Forêt de Cerisy
Cerisy-la-Forêt
Breeding Black and middle
spotted woodpeckers,
Redstart…
Red deer present.
0
7,5 km
22
Avranches
Baie du
Mont-Saint-Michel
21
back to
summary
27
Our partners, natural site managers
Association Claude Hettier
de Boislambert
02.33.71.56.99
rnbeauguillot@wanadoo.fr
Fédération Départementale
de Pêche de la Manche
02.33.46.96.50
www.peche-manche.com
Centre Permanent d’Initiatives
pour l’Environnement du Cotentin
02.33.46.37.06
www.cpiecotentin.com
Groupe Ornithologique Normand
02.31.43.52.56
www.gonm.org
Conservatoire de l’Espace Littoral
et des Rivages Lacustres
02.31.15.30.90
www.conservatoire-du-littoral.fr
Office National des Forêts
02.33.05.11.11
www.onf.fr
Fédération Départementale
des Chasseurs de la Manche
02.33.72.63.63
www.fdc50.com
Syndicat Mixte des Espaces
Littoraux de la Manche
02.33.05.98.83
www.symel.fr
Code of good practice
Whilst watching and studying natural history the welfare of species and their habitats
must come first.
Disturbance caused to animals or their habitat should be kept to a minimum, especially by keeping a reasonable distance from them in order to avoid birds taking flight
or other animals (seals…) leaving their site. Avoid using the top of the beach so as not
to crush Kentish plover eggs or chicks (April to August).
Respect the rights of local owners, by staying on roads, tracks and paths and avoiding
blocking access when parking your vehicle.
Respect the rights of others, their activities and work in the countryside and opting for
compromise and dialogue.
At all times, respect national and regional laws concerning nature conservation (particularly on nature reserves).
Please leave your observations with local naturalists groups: nature conservation (the
protection of species and sites) can be optimised by the use of more information, if
necessary your observations will be kept private.
28
back to
summary
To find out more
Flore et végétation
des marais
Les oiseaux nicheurs des
prairies humides
M!GRATEURS
à plumes, à poils, à écailles...
Des marais entre deux mers...
Carte touristique
Les rendez-vous du Parc
The Parc naturel regional in
pictures, throughout the season
French/English
Hikes, natural history and
water-based activities
French/English
Marshlands, between two coastlines...
Tourist map
The Parc organizes guided
events, at the Maison du Parc
or in one of the 150 parishes
that make up the Parc
These publications are produced by the Parc naturel régional and available
at the Maison du Parc (tel. 00 33 (0)2 33 71 65 30), at tourist offices
or at www.parc-cotentin-bessin.fr
des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin
Dépôt légal à parution : avril 2012 - Tirage : 5 000 ex.
Crédit photo : © C. Lecoq, S. Stauth (CPIE du Cotentin) ; S. Barrault ; T. Bousquet, H. Guitton, M. Provost,
S. Rivez (Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest) ; S. Fautré (CDT50) ; Fédération Départementale des
Chasseurs de la Manche ; J-M. Gatey ; M. Guérard ; R. Purenne (GONm) ; M. Lagarde, L. Robert (GRETIA) ;
T. Houyel ; F. Levalet ; B. Canu, F. Désert, N. Fillol, G. Hédouin, E. Génot, J-M. Lefèvre, R. Pavisse, M. Roche
(Pnr Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin) ; L. Gabet, A. Hannok (SyMEL) ; S. Provost.
Cartes issues des fichiers BD TOPO® ©IGN - 2012 - Autorisation n° 43-12003
Imprimé sur du papier certifié PEFC avec des encres végétales
par l’imprimerie Le Révérend à Valognes.
back to
summary
tsm
out
h
Por
Poole
ss
Diélette
Pointe
de Barfleur
Utah Beach
Baie
des Veys
BarnevilleCarteret
Isigny-sur-Mer
Ouistreham
Caen
Jersey
Poole - Portsm
outh
Marshlands,
between two coastlines…
Saint-Malo
Baie
de Seine
Omaha Beach
Bayeux
Carentan
le Havre
smo
uth
Ile
Tatihou
Guernesey
Serq
uth
mo
rts
Po
Cherbourg
Port
Cap de
la Hague
Ro
Aurigny
e
la r
back to
summary
Saint-Lô
Paris-Cherbourg
Coutances
Iles
Chausey
NORMANDIE
Granville
Baie du
Mont-St-Michel
Caen-Rennes
Paris-Granville
Avranches
Sortie
St-Côme-du-Mont
Ste-Marie-du-Mont
Utah-Beach
Cherbourg 45’
St-Côme-du-Mont
Rennes
D 913
Maison du Parc
Le Mans
Maison du Parc naturel régional
des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin
3 village Ponts d’Ouve
50500 SAINT-CÔME-DU-MONT
Tél. 00 33 (0)2 33 71 65 30
Fax. 00 33 (0)2 33 71 65 31
accueil@parc-cotentin-bessin.fr
www.parc-cotentin-bessin.frNantes
CARENTAN
Cae
n6
0’
D 971
Saint-Lô 30’
Coutances 40’
Angers
49.321636, -1.265671
Tours
From Easter to the end of September
open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
From October to Easter
open daily, except on Mondays, from 9.30 a.m.
to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(the national nature reserve is closed for 2
weeks as from the end of September).
Closed annually
from the end of December to early January.