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Étang des Grésillons

Île de France  >  France

A pond with varied habitats changing with the seasons, bordered by a meadow. The area welcomes a large number of rare nesters and migrating bird species.

Added* by Yohan Le Goff
Most recent update 28 November 2023

Description

Étang des Grésillons is an excellent site at any time of year. During the nesting period, Common Shelduck, Black Kite, Stone-curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, European Turtle Dove, Sand Martin and Eurasian Tree Sparrow are the most interesting nesters, especially for the latter, which has its last Yvelinoise colony on the site. Many other species also nest, including Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe, as well as Tufted Duck, Northern Lapwing, Western Yellow Wagtail, Linnet and European Goldfinch. Some species do not (apparently) nest, but are still present during the breeding season, such as the Eurasian Hobby and the Great Egret and Little Egret.

During migration the site is also very interesting. Many rare or occasional species stay there, sometimes for several weeks. Northern Pintail, Garganey, Black-necked Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Dunlin, Common Ringed Plover, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper and Caspian Gull are the most regular on the pond and its surroundings. But sometimes, you can come across a much rarer species: Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint, Glossy Ibis or even Little Tern are a few occasional species observed more and more annually.

In spring, inspecting the meadows and bushes will allow you to find Sedge Warbler, Whinchat or Northern Wheatear during a migratory stopover. In the autumn Osprey and Eurasian Spoonbill are observed rather regularly. And finally in winter, when the birds are not fleeing hunting, which is unfortunately allowed on the pond, there are numerous Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Common Teal which are observed there. Some Common Snipe winter on the site, among the Black-headed Gull roosts in which there is sometimes a Common Gull.

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Français: Un étang aux habitats variés évoluant au fil des saisons, bordé d'une prairie rase, accueillant un grand nombre de nicheurs rares et d'espèces de passage. Un site excellent à toute période de l'année. En période de nidification, les Common Shelduck, Black Kite, Stone-curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, European Turtle Dove, Sand Martin et Eurasian Tree Sparrow sont les nicheurs les plus intéressant, notamment pour ce dernier, qui possède sa dernière colonie Yvelinoise sur le site. De nombreuses autres espèces de moindre intérêt nichent aussi, dont les Great Crested Grebe et Little Grebe , ainsi que le Tufted Duck, le Northern Lapwing, la Western Yellow Wagtail, la Linnet ou encore le European Goldfinch. Certaines espèces ne nichent (apparemment) pas, mais sont tout de même présentes durant la période de reproduction, comme le Eurasian Hobby et les Great Egret et Little Egret.

En période de migration, c'est là que le site prend une nouvelle mesure d'intérêt. De nombreuses espèces rares ou occasionelles y stationnent, parfois pendant plusieurs semaines. Les Northern Pintail, Garganey, Black-necked Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Dunlin, Common Ringed Plover, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper et Caspian Gull sont les plus réguliers sur l'étang et ses alentours. Mais parfois, on tombe sur une espèce beaucoup plus rare : le Ruddy Turnstone, les Curlew Sandpiper et Little Stint, l'Glossy Ibis ou encore la Little Tern sont quelques espèces occasionelles observées de plus en plus annuellement.

Au printemps, inspecter les prairies et les buissons permettra de trouver un Sedge Warbler, un Whinchat ou un Northern Wheatear en halte migratoire. À l'automne, ce sont les Osprey et Eurasian Spoonbill qui seront observés plutôt régulièrement. Et enfin en hiver, quand les oiseaux ne fuient pas la chasse, qui est malheureusement autorisée sur l'étang, ce sont de nombreux Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Common Teal qui y sont observés. Quelques Common Snipe hivernent sur le site, parmi les dortoirs de Black-headed Gull dans lesquels se trouvent parfois un Common Gull.

Details

Access

Étang des Grésillons is located west of Paris, close to Poissy. From Paris, take the RER A to Poissy. Then take bus 10 or 42 to the “Les Bouveries” stop. By car, you can park in front of the gate (while leaving room to pass!!) or a little further along the side of the road. Visiting the site on foot is the best way, as the distance to travel is not very great to go around it.

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Français: Depuis Paris, prendre le RER A jusqu'à Poissy. Puis prendre le bus 10 ou 42 jusqu'à l'arrêt "Les Bouveries". En voiture, possible de se garer devant le portail (tout en laissant la place pour passer !!) ou un peu plus loin sur le bord de la route. Visiter le site à pieds est le meilleur moyen, la distance à parcourir n'étant pas très grande pour en faire le tour.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Wetland , Lake

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Autumn migration , Spring migration , Summer

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

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Map

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