May 10th - 17th, 2007

The Brenne, France

Price: £ 775 excluding flights (*see below)

Leader: Nigel Spring

An easy-going week in the fascinating Brenne area, amidst an abundance of birds and all forms of wildlife, where very large numbers of species can be seen with a minimum of travelling

Monkey orchid

The Brenne is an extraordinary place, little-known but full of interest, lying roughly between Chatellerault and Chateauroux in central France. It is a huge low-lying area of lakes, marshes, grasslands and woods, with a wonderfully rich fauna and flora, particularly noted for its bird life, dragonflies, and amphibians and reptiles, though we will also see many plants and butterflies of interest during the week. Our base for the whole week is an attractive hotel in the small town of Mézières-en-Brenne, strategically situated within easy reach of many of the best sites in the area.

The exact itinerary will depend on the weather, season and state of the lakes, but will certainly include visits to some of the best of the 1400 or so lakes scattered across the region, the Chérine nature reserve with excellent hides, and a good selection of flowery meadows, old forest, and marshland areas. We have good contacts locally, and hope to visit some sites not normally accessible to the public.

Mid-may is a superb time to be here. All the migrant birds are back and singing or displaying, there are choruses of frogs, tree frogs and crickets everywhere, spring butterflies and other insects are abundant, and there are orchids and other flowers throughout.

Whiskered tern

There is a lushness and exuberance about the Brenne that is not readily found elsewhere, thanks, perhaps, to the abundance of water and the vast extent of interconnected habitats. Amongst many other things, we can reasonably expect to see, or hear, golden orioles, bee-eaters, whiskered and black terns, little bittern, purple heron, marsh harriers, bitterns, hobby, Savi’s warbler, black-winged stilt, and the delightful black-necked grebes, easily visible from a hide. The striking little european tree-frogs are abundant, and parsley frogs are common, in addition to the other widespread amphibians and reptiles. Wet meadows are often full of lax-flowered orchids, tongue orchids, viper’s grass and many other wetland flowers. On the limestone to the south, we’ll see military and monkey orchids and many other limestone specialities.

Broad-bordered bee-hawkmoth

This a good time for early fritillary butterflies, overwintered Camberwell beauties, and the first generation map butterflies, and both broad-bordered and narrow-bordered bee hawk-moths will be on the wing, visiting blue gromwell or bugle flowers for nectar. The Brenne is one of the best areas in Europe for dragonflies: we’ll be a bit early for the peak emergence, but should see a dozen or more species nevertheless, including ones that are rare or absent in Britain. This is a wonderful area for general natural history, with birds always in evidence, and something new around every corner.

There are no significant hills to climb, but plenty of good french food and wine!

*We have not included flights for this trip, because the easiest flights are low-cost ones to Tours, which are not open to group bookings. It is also possible to travel down by minibus with Nigel from the UK, and either make your own way back, or stay on for the Dordogne week at a reduced combined price. Arrangements will be made nearer the time to transport the bulk of group members to/from Tours. Cost of one-way minibus transport from UK would be £50, , inc. ferry but excluding cabins, meals and accommodation. Cost of combined Dordogne and Brenne trips without transport is £1715

The tour price includes accommodation on half-board basis, with en suite facilities, all transport in the area, services of leader throughout, and pre-tour information and post-tour lists. For further info about this area, see Bob Gibbons’ article in British Wildlife April 2003. (Tel: 01747 835511 for back numbers or to subscribe).

Tour code: NHT/07/05

Price: £775

Single room supplement: £60

Deposit: £150 plus insurance