Description
The Étang du Gol is a body of water located along the coast on the right bank of the Saint Etienne River between the outlet of the Cirque de Cilaos and the ocean. This river-marine filling bay is separated from the ocean by a coastal sand barrier. Two gravel pits, dug for the construction of the national road in the late 1970s complete the site. With an area of more than 40 hectares, the wetland is an important wintering place on the island for birds. The area has an interesting bird-diversity with for example Striated Heron, Eurasian Moorhen, Red Fody, Reunion Grey White-eye, Reunion Harrier and many shorebirds, which are very common in autumn and winter.
Details
Access
The area is located immediately southwest of the city of Saint-Louis. There are parking areas near the pond, but it's easier to go there by feet. Click on the P in the map for directions or coordinates.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Reedbeds , Scattered trees and bushes , Sea , Lake , BeachConditions
Flat , Sandy , DryCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Autumn migrationRoute
Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Photo Red Fody by David Dennis, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

