Spring Migration & Nesting Behaviors

Step into the Hâble d'Ault this spring and witness the great return of migratory birds. From March onward, the first birds from the North head back to their breeding grounds. This unique site, classified as a wildlife and hunting reserve, welcomes you amidst a landscape of marshlands, dunes, and rare shingle beaches found nowhere else in Europe.

Along the trails, we will learn to "read" the bay through its birds: the common tern diving steeply for fish on the mudflats, the elegant avocet sweeping the water with its upturned bill, the greylag goose flying in large migratory formations, or the wigeon whose call sounds like a high-pitched whistle. This outing focuses on visual identification and reading bird behaviors.

You will discover how to spot courtship displays by the lagoons, tell males from females in breeding plumage, and understand the nesting strategies of coastal species. We will also practice identifying birds quickly using silhouette, posture, and a few plumage details — even against the light.

We will take time to observe behaviors: aerial displays, mudflat feeding, burrow and shingle zone occupation, territorial disputes among terns... All clues that, pieced together, tell the story of the Picardy coastline. Along the way, your guide will share best practices for observation (positioning, managing light, approaching nests without disturbance) and simple mnemonic tips to memorize songs and identification criteria.

The outing is suitable for beginners and those already familiar with birdwatching, in a friendly spirit: we take our time, we share, we progress together. Bring waterproof boots (wet terrain in some areas), weather-appropriate clothing (frequent wind on the bay), and binoculars if possible (advice will be provided on site).

👉 What to bring: Weather-appropriate clothing, waterproof footwear; binoculars recommended (rental available on request).