WELCOME TO THE FIRST CHICKS

The first flamingo chick was spotted on Thursday 18 May, when it was just a few days old. Other births soon followed 😍. This year, the colony is also home to a strange couple. They are Lesser Flamingos, the African cousins of the Greater Flamingo.

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Last week, we observed the Lesser Flamingo pair occupy a nest with an egg. How cool is that?

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do not disturb

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THE COLONY'S SUCCESS is A FRAGILE BALANCE

For several years now, a colony of greater flamingos has been established in the Aigues-Mortes salt marshes. To date, this is the only nesting area for the species in France. The flamingos lay their eggs on small islands in a pond. Birds in general and flamingos in particular are very sensitive to disturbance during the nesting period (from early April to late June).

The passage of a plane, microlight, drone or other craft ... too low or for too long over the colony is enough to cause panic and the destruction of all the nests. Unfortunately, we have seen this happen several times in recent years, not out of malice but out of ignorance. The tranquillity of the flamingos during this beautiful but fragile period is crucial to the success of the colony. Knowing this and leaving the birds alone is already helping to protect the species.

That's why, every year, we raise awareness among airspace users so that they adapt their practices to the sensitivity of the area. The message is well relayed by our contacts and users are informed and aware.

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WHAT IS A COLONY?

When we talk about a colony, we're not talking about birds feeding in ponds, as can be seen along roadsides in the Camargue, but about large concentrations of birds incubating on islets or dykes away from view and disturbance from humans and predators.

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HOW DO we KEEP AN EYE ON THE COLONY?

Antoine and Julie, our two ornithologists in charge of monitoring the colony, hide and stay well away from the birds. Surprisingly, while flamingos panic at the sight of a walker, a cardboard box at the same distance doesn't seem dangerous to them!

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Gimme another Gazette!

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