The Brenne, one of ’s Come and see our wildlife, Guided visits 51 Parcs naturels regionaux you won’t be disappointed… Outings with bilingual guide are organized throughout the year. Parcs are fragile, living areas, English arising from a local desire to Unpopulated and unspoilt, the Brenne is relatively small (30 km x Tony Williams Geert Engels work for the protection of the 20 km) and a patchwork of many different habitats: meadows, (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) area’s natural and Brenne hedgerows, lowland heath, woodland and many lakes. The Geert, a dutchman, Tony is British but has been coming to cultural heritage whilst area is criss-crossed by a multitude of narrow lanes and foot- has worked and at the same time Brenne for the last paths with flower-filled verges: in the spring, there’s bird guided in Brenne for 20 years. He organ­ helping to develop their more than 30 years. ises outings con­ economy. Actually there are song everywhere. Close enough to get there in a day, it’s far He is particulary nature cerning the area’s 51 Parcs naturels régionaux in interested in birds enough south to have exotic species; a paradise for naturalists natural and cultural France, federated around a Centr'Imprim : and butterflies. He is from further north. heritage in Dutch, charter of common objectives. sometimes on hand English or German. at the Maison de la Nature visitor The French “Parc naturel centre. The naturel profusion of the Brenne (Les régional” is similar in richesses naturelles de la Brenne) every function to the English Learn how to identify birds (Apprendre à Wednesday from 20/04 to 26/10 (9h to identifier les oiseaux) 19/04 and 10/05 (9h 12h30), meet at the place de Verdun, national park. to 11h30), meet at the Maison de la Nature, ROSNAY. What St-MICHEL-EN-BRENNE; Sunrise (Aube) 26/06 and 10/07 (6h30 to 10h), meet at Cécile Danel How to get Maison du Parc car park, ROSNAY; An (Réserve Naturelle de Chérine) to see ? autumn nature walk (Balade automnale) French, Cécile who to the Brenne from Britain By plane: international airports at Tours (75 minutes 16 and 30/09 (9h to 11h30), meet at the speaks very good Some three hundred species of bird have been observed in the Brenne. Maison de la Nature car park, St-MICHEL- drive) and Poitiers (60 minutes drive) are served by Below is a selected list of some of the more interesting for visitors from English has worked regular Ryanair flights from London Stanstead EN-BRENNE; An evening with the for Chérine national farther north in Europe. They all occur each year, most breed, those with nightjars… (Le crépuscule de (www.ryanair.com). l’engoulevent) 13/05 (20h15 to 22h15) and nature reserve for an* are common during the appropriate season. more than 20 years, Car hire: Avis, Europcar, Budget, Hertz at 24/06 (21h to 23h), meet at the Maison de the airports. la Nature car park, St-MICHEL-EN- she very much Black-necked grebe* Short-toed eagle* Barn owl* Fan-tailed warbler BRENNE; Birds sing, and they call! (Les enjoys sharing her By train: easiest route is Eurostar service Bittern Osprey* Long-eared owl Savi’s warbler* oiseaux chantent et ils crient) 23/05 (7h to curiosity for the Brenne’s wildlife. London to Lille, then TGV (from same Little bittern Hobby Nightjar* Cetti’s warbler* 9h30), meet at the Maison de la Nature car station in Lille) to Tours (75 minutes Night heron* Quail* European bee-eater* Great reed warbler park, St-MICHEL-EN-BRENNE; Birds, Terres de Renard: every Wednesday from drive) or Poitiers (60 minutes drive). Cattle egret* Common crane* Hoopoe* Melodious warbler* 6/04 to 29/06 – except 13/04 (9h30 to butterflies (and orchids) of Chérine By road: via the A20 toll-free Squacco heron Stone curlew* Black woodpecker Bonelli’s warbler* 12h30), meet at the Maison de la Nature national nature reserve (Oiseaux, papillons motorway, exit 13.1 near Great white egret* Black-winged stilt* Middle spotted Firecrest* (et orchidées) de la Réserve naturelle de car park, St-MICHEL-EN-BRENNE; Lets Châteauroux if coming from the Purple heron* Little stint woodpecker* Crested tit* Chérine) 6/07 (10h to 12h30), meet at the look at a lake without water (Au cœur north (follow signs towards Maison de la Nature car park, St-MICHEL- d'un étang sans eau) 14 and 28/06 (14h to Garganey* Spotted redshank* Woodlark* Short-toed treecreeper* EN-BRENNE; Birds, butterflies and orchids 15h30), 16, 23 and 30/08 (9h30 to 11h) Mézières-en-Brenne), exit 17 Black kite* Greenshank* Crested lark Red-backed shrike* of Rosnay common (Oiseaux, papillons et and 6, 13, 20 et 27/09 (14h to 15h30), meet near Argenton-sur- Montagu’s harrier* Wood sandpiper Tawny pipit Woodcat shrike orchidées des communaux de Rosnay) at the Maison de la Nature car park, if coming from Marsh harrier* Mediterranean gull Water pipit* Golden oriole* St-MICHEL-EN-BRENNE; Cistude's 24/05 and 31/05 (9h to 11h30), meet at the south (follow signs Goshawk Whiskered tern* Nightingale* Serin* Dragonflies (Libellules de l'étang Cistude), Maison du Parc car park, ROSNAY; towards ). Honey buzzard* Black tern* Black redstart* Cirl bunting* 10 and 24/05 and 7 and 21/06 (14h to CommunicationConception AGCP • Impression & illustrations Damien Gauthier 02 54 19 90 • Couverture Lyon. Typhaine Thibaut Michel, Vèque, Ingen (JFH/NVI) et J. Van Hellio / N. • Crédits photos J-F. Williams - LPO/Brenne Tony Translation Butterflies of Brenne (Papillons de Brenne) 15h30), meet at the Maison de la Nature 05/06 (10h to 12h30), place de la mairie car park, St-MICHEL-EN-BRENNE. LINGÉ, Butterflies of Brenne (Papillons de Brenne) 08/07 place de l’église What else ? POULIGNY-St-PIERRE, Butterflies of Reservation necessary (place limited): This unspoilt area holds an abun- When Brenne (Papillons de Brenne) 4/08 (10h to Maison du Parc (0033(0)2 54 28 12 13) or dance of other wildlife, many plant 12h30) place de la mairie Ste-GEMME; The Maison de la Nature (00 33 (0)2 54 28 11 00) species (some like the Parnassus- to Brenne’s birds of prey (Rapaces de la There are many other guided outings MAISON DU PARC Brenne) 11/07 (9h to 11h30), meet at during the year but they may be in French. leaved water-plantain are very Maison du Parc car park, ROSNAY. Le Bouchet – 36300 ROSNAY rare) including 37 orchid species come ? Tel: 00 33 (0)2 54 28 12 13 (among them its very own Brenne Fax: 00 33 (0)2 54 37 56 96 orchid), many rare butterflies, 63 spe- All times of the year www.parc-naturel-brenne.fr cies of dragonflies and other insects, are interesting, late March to mid July British Birdwatching Fair E-mail: [email protected] a large population of European Pond Tortoise and such mammals the best. Cranes Why not come and see us at the 2016 British Birdwatching are present from mid th st as Wild Boar, Pine and Beech

Fair (19 to 21 August) ? An English speaking naturalist from Imprimé sur papier recyclé Document Martins, Wild Cat… November to mid March. the Brenne will be at the French Parcs stand for the three days. financé par : 2016 AZAY-LE-FERRON Tours NEUILLAY- LES-BOIS MÉZIÈRES- EN-BRENNE D925 Châteauroux

POULIGNY-St-PIERRE D975

Secteur détaillé D950

Réserve Naturelle 4 D43 ci-dessous Régionale du Bois ROSNAY D14 des Roches D27 D20 SAINT-AIGNY Bénavent Circuit de l’eau 8 N151 D10 MÉRIGNY La Creuse Ferme du Bois d’Haut Poitiers L'Anglin INGRANDES D54 Maison des abeilles Limoges

SAULNAY RIVARENNES Ferme de la Petite Ménardière lake Azay-le-Ferron Vieux Réserves et Centre Permanent SAINTE-GEMME sites protégés d’Initiatives pour D925 l’Environnement D926 1 Bellebouche lake 2 Cherine nature 4 Domaine du Plessis D43 MÉZIÈRES-EN-BRENNE reserve 3 Terres et étangs de Brenne Massé - FoucaultTo find out more… Where to go ? Access via the Étang Mouton. P Terres de D925 nature reserve SAINT-MICHEL- Picadon The site is managed by the EN-BRENNE P La Sous 10 Piégu Vendœuvres departmental hunting federation. It D44 lake Cistude lake 4 Bois des Roches lake Renard Maison de la Nature includes 7 lakes. The reed beds and Les Essarts P c D6a nature reserve 1 Public hides lake 1 Maison lake 7 man made islands encourage the b Bellebouche D6 P de la nature 5 et de la Réserve These hides have been specially placed so that the arrival of certain migratory birds. a P c lake Rosnay Common Beauregard Terres de P The “Grand Observatoire” 3 D21 a naturalist may discover some of the best of Brenne’s lake Renard P b 6 Domaine du Plessis Access via a board walk crossing a The Neuf lake hide e Montmelier lake pond. wildlife at their leisure. Spring and autumn are Best in the early P Les Vigneaux Observatoires Ricot lake

9 JFH/NVI the best seasons for birds, the summer for D15 lake •Short (1 hour) accompanied walks morning and late D17 Site d’observation st D78 P are organised from 1 April to Pond Tortoises. afternoon. LINGÉ D44 D14b th Itinéraires d’observations 30 September, every afternoon, ➜ P Bignotoi Pochard: One of lake JFH/NVI 16h and 17h (reservation recom­ the many commoner Gabriau d lake 8 2e Terres de Picadon mended) on days when the “Maison

JFH/NVI 3 waterbirds of Brenne P Blizon Rosnay Common The Brenne’s wildlife visitor centre La Gabrière D17a de la nature” is open (3 €). Often Purais D32 lake 2f that occur here, sur- lake D46 Terres de Renard lake is the place to go to find specialist the guide speaks English. prises turn up. Massé a Le Blizon Open from early December7 to mid-June. information on the local natural Montiacre lake Sentier de découverte • The “Grand Observatoire” is l’Hardouine P From Rosnay take the D32 Cironde road, Beauregard history and for optic hire and sales. st th lake c D24 open from 1 April to 29 June lake 6 access to the site is via a track8 to theCircuit left de l’eau D43 b (except 16/06), 10h to 12h30 on 3 Chérine nature reserve MaisonMaison Foucault 3 km from the village centre. Park on the An English naturalist, Tony Williams lakes P Sault side of the road. Itinéraire recommandé Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 5 Bois des Roches dudu ParcParc 2 lake MIGNÉ (LPO), who’s lived in Brenne since P P and Fridays in the presence of P The common has a wide range of 1982 can help you find what you’re nature reserve D15 4 Lieu de départ d’une a reserve naturalist (2 €). Free The Réserve naturelle nationale de Chérine covered 145 ha when it Mouton open habitats including aanimation meadow nature looking for. He's available at "La st st ROSNAY lake access between 1 July to 31 was created in 1985. Various recent acquisitions, mainly around the D27 Neuf used for grazing from time accompagnéeimmemo- Maison de la Nature" every Monday Access from D 950 near "Les Roches". lake March whenever the “Maison La Mer Rouge rial. It has one of Brenne’s largest morning (10h to 12h30) in April, original site, mean that it now extends over more than 370 ha. Much of It is mainly a dry, calcareous lake de la Nature” is open (only the the reserve and many of the rare plants and animals (Water violet, Tongue Tongue orchid sites. May, early June and September. morning during July, August and meadow. Among the wildlife pro- Le Blanc D44 orchid, European pond tortoise, Bittern, Little bittern, Wildcat…) it protects Pouligny-Saint-Pierre Le Blanc 8 September). tected there are 356 plant species P ➜ Tongue orchid: N can be seen from the numerous public hides and rights of way associated 5 Bois des Roches Public hides 0 1 5 Thekm “Mission Guifette including 7 species of orchids as nature reserve In late May and with the reserve. Trails moustac” exhibition Exceptionally the “Grand Observatoire” well as various insects and reptiles. early June there will be open from sunrise to 9h30, 16th April Interpretation trail. N are carpets of this concerns a humoristic and (from 6h05), 7 May (from 5h30) et 25th June a d rare, small delicate interactive look at the Brenne’s (from 5h) (3 €). The Ricot lake hide The Purais lake hide ➜ 0 1 2 km Adonis blue: One of many less orchid, along with Access from the D32 near Lingé wildlife and conservation effort Access from the D17. common butterflies that occur on this 7 other species. (direction Rosnay). small site. Bellebouche being made to preserve it (free The “Petit Observatoire” is For management reasons the lake will entrance). Commentaries • Best watching in early morning lake open whenever the “Maison de la be empty for the whole year. This open available in English. Nature” is open. Free access. or late afternoon. mud habitat attracts a very different One of the largest and most community of animals and plants. ➜ Whiskered Tern: 6 The Maison is open : The Brenne is Terres et étangs de Brenne attractive lakes in Brenne (100 ha). ➜ Cudweed sp.: one of the most Massé - Foucault nature reserve Known primarily for its beach and ­Interpretation January February & March 7/02 – 21/02 April, May & June one of several important areas leasure activities, it is also a site for July & August September October & November 19/10 – 2/11 December rare pioneer an- for the species in natural history observation. Its trails Closed Weekdays 10h-12h30/14h-16h (18h Saturday & nual plants that France, Purais the The two sites of Massé - Foucault lakes have been combined to form Saturday 14h–17h & Sunday 10h-12h30/14h-17h Sunday). Closed all day Tuesday and Thursday grow on the mud most important this new regional nature Reserve. A 319 ha. site of diverse wildlife and reedbed and the surrounding heaths Weekdays 10h-12h30/14h-17h. Closed all day afternoon. Weekdays 10h-12h30/14h-18h. Closed all day of empty fish- site in Brenne. exceptional scenery. It’s home to many species of aquatic birds (ducks, waders, and woodland make for a great 9 Chemin de Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. ponds. Tuesday. diversity of wildlife. Information : 00 33 (0)2 54 28 11 00 or 00 33(0)2 54 28 12 13 e osprey, grebes, herons, egrets…). Three hides are open throughout the year. Beauregard Terres de Renard E-mail: [email protected] – www.maison-nature-brenne.fr b Hides The Essarts lake hide The Essarts car park (D44). Entrance to a b 4 km there and back. Access via the public footpath that the site on the opposite side of the road, The Massé lake hide The Foucault main hide Access from the walker’s trail that goes 2 Access from the D17a. Follow the track, Access from the D15. Running through some of the most crosses the western side of the reserve. a few yards on the left. round the lake. Parking fee during busy Maison du Parc then turn left before the lake. beautiful and varied countryside in • Better watching in the afternoon. • Best watching in the morning. periods. Occupying the restored buildings of • Best watching in the morning a is best in the morning; Brenne. a traditional farm, the Parc visitor ➜ The Luc lake hide ➜ Black-winged Stilt: A very rare sum- Pintail: There are birds throughout the c centre is open throughout the year: year, but its one of the best sites for duck A more than a kilometre long nature and late afternoon. mer migrant in inland France this b and are best in the afternoon spectacular wader breeds each year in there’s a choice of eight different in winter, especially Pintail. trail through landscape typical of ➜ and evening. Squacco heron: Unpredictable in Brenne and often at Foucault. 10 Landes et slide shows in English, temporary the Brenne leads to a hide (boots their choice of ➜ Night heron: c often necessary). nesting site, Mas- c exhibitions, an information centre, The La Sous lake hide The Foucault western hide One of the spe- Mares de Picadon a sales area with local produce and sé is however one cies that breeds • Best watching throughout the day. JFH/NVI Access from the D44. of the best lakes Access from the car park on the D17a. locally made articles as well as a ➜ Red-crested Pochard: Increasing in the heron Access from the D6. • Best watching in the afternoon. for Squacco herons • Best watching in the evening. colony at the bar where delicious local produce in Brenne but still quite rare, the Luc that often associate An 800 meters nature trail, look for ➜ Little Bittern: A rare summer migrant, ➜ Black Kite: Look out for one the southern end of is served throughout the day. étang usually has a breeding pair of with other related butterflies, dragonflies… la Sous is the most reliable site in Brenne, this spectacular duck. Brenne biggest breeding bird of prey any the lake and easy Open: every day of the year from 9h30 to 18h (19h in summer). species. to see here. even so its normally only seen in flight. time between march and early August, Information : 00 33 (0)2 54 28 12 13 they nest here each year. E-mail: [email protected] (answer in english) – www.parc-naturel-brenne.fr