Seeing flamingos in their natural habitat is always a source of wonder. The Camargue is home to one ofEurope’s largest colonies of pink flamingos, but theAude department is no exception.
A rose-colored vacation!
With a population of around 50,000, the Mediterranean coast is home toEurope’s largest flamingo colony. While the Camargue is home to most of them, some 5,000 specimens have taken up residence in theAude, in the lagoons and salt marshes of the Narbonnais region. Here are the 4 best places to see wild flamingos in theAude.
1.Peyriac-de-Mer
Near Narbonne, Peyriac-de-Mer is a charming Aude village surrounded by salt lakes. The Etang du Doul and the saltworks are home to an attractive population of pink flamingos, emblems of our lagoons. Wooden walkways allow you to get up close and personal with the majestic wading birds. An open-air observatory to feel your wings grow!
2. La Palme pond
Some thirty kilometers south of Narbonne, La Palme is a typical Mediterranean village at the gateway to the Corbières maritimes. Situated between the beach and the village, the étang de La Palme is an ideal spot for observing numerous species of birds, including magnificent flights of pink flamingos.
3. Les Salins de Gruissan
In the shadow of the Massif de la Clape and bordering the Mediterranean, Gruissan is a picturesque medieval village with a harbor, beaches and salt marshes where pink flamingos come to rest. To admire them, simply stroll along the vast ponds towards the Saint Martin peninsula. A popular observation spot for photographers in particular.
4. Etang de Bages-Sigean
Bordered by the Corbières mountains , in the heart of the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Regional Nature Park , Sigean has retained its ancient, picturesque charm. Famous for its African reserve, the village is also a privileged observation site for pink flamingos on the Côte du Midi. To do this, go to Etang de Bages andIle de l’Aute. You can also make a detour to the African reserve. Nearly 300 pink flamingos, originally from Chile and Cuba, live in the Sigean African reserve on the other side of the ponds.
Read also: Aude for birdwatching enthusiasts
When is the best time to see flamingos in the Aude?
Flamingos can be seen all year round around the ponds of the Aude region. The pink flamingo is a partial migrant. Whatever the season, you’re almost certain to come across a few specimens on your birdwatching outings. They are at their most colorful during the mating season, between December and mid-February.
Tips for watching flamingos
Flamingos can easily be observed and photographed from just a few meters away without being frightened off. But be careful not to get too close. Do not attempt to feed or touch them. The offence is punishable by a fine. It’s best to observe them from a distance with binoculars or a spyglass.
Better still, you can discover these majestic birds with their pink plumage with the guides of the LPO de l’Aude (league for the protection of birds). Nature outings, observation walks and participatory workshops are organized by volunteer leaders all year round.
By the way, do you know where pink flamingos get their color from?
Flamingos don’t turn pink until they’re 3 or 4 years old. Newborns are born gray. Flamingos gradually turn pink as they feed on small crustaceans rich in beta-carotene, an organic chemical containing an orange-red pigment. Now you know everything!