FRANCE PLAINE OF LUÇON
An unusual landscape with more birdlife than you initially expect
Ilived in Petosse for more than a year, and my bird notebook says I made more than 120 forays into its locality – a flat, semifeatureless arable land with few trees and lots and lots of tractors. Historically termed the Plaine of Luçon, it is an area of the south Vendée about 25 miles by 10. It can seem bleak, but it’s unique, interesting and I learned not to overlook it. I also learned not to expect any waterbirds, woodpeckers or even Blue Tits for that matter!
WHERE TO WATCH
1 In the village of Petosse, check the rooftops for Black Redstarts, as well as Yellow Wagtails and Crested Larks, while Hoopoes are everywhere in spring and summer, so check gardens and any open ground.
2 If you are in the mood, check the gull flocks on fields or around the irrigation lagoons dotted around the area. Among the Yellow-legged, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls there will be a Caspian Gull.
3 In winter, early spring and late autumn scanning the landscape will score some nice surprises – Stone-curlew, Hen Harriers, Meadow Pipits, Sky Lark flocks, hundreds of Lapwings and quite a few Grey Partridges. Come April, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Melodious Warblers announce themselves along with genuinely common Nightingales and, dare I mention them, Turtle Doves. April also brings Montagu’s Harriers – well monitored on the Plaine by LPO volunteer groups and a reasonable percentage of the farmers – Black Kite, Honey Buzzard and Hobby. The latter breed on the Plaine. By late summer fields often welcome Cattle Egret flocks and I have seen as many as 24 White Storks together.