Christmas in France- Atlantic Coast

The coast of France is a mixture of rocky cliffs and sandy shores. In Vendee the coast is on the Atlantic. I visited Les Sables d'Olonne where there is a complex of salt farms with trails around them. The birding in these salt far wetland areas is quite good with a variety of birds including herons, ducks, grebes, sparrows and others.

Bird Observatory near Ile d'Olonne

Salt Marshes in Ile d'Olonne

Little Grebe
Grey Heron
Little Egret

Little Egret

Mallard
Coot
Pintail
Greater Black-backed Gull
Black-headed Gull
White Wagtail
Starling

Magpie

Magpie
Robin
Blackbird

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover
Meadow Pipit
Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Sparrows

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

The beaches are bordered by a band of pine forests that transition to sandy scrub and then sand dunes before the beaches. The beach near Les Sables d'Olonne is very very sloped with patches of rocky areas. It is a common surfing spot and even in winter I saw people out on the waves.

Foret Domaniale d'Olonne at the beach at Sentier des Gravelots, Ile d'Olonne