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Description
The Excenevex beach (1) is one of the few larger sandy beaches of the Lake Geneva and therefore of special interest for waders, shorebirds, and waterfowl, especially from the end of August through to mid-May.
The most common wader is Dunlin, but Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Little Stint, and also rarer waders like Red Knot, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Kentish Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, and especially Ruddy Turnstone are sometimes observed. The best chances for most waders are in April and May, whereas the Dunlin is most abundant in September-October, and the Ruddy Turnstone is most likely to be observed during winter. The beach is freely accessible, and as some of the waders are not shy - especially the first-years in autumn - and approach patient observers on their own, excellent observations can be made.
The beach also offers a good opportunity to search a big part of the lake with a scope. The Common Tern is present from late April to September. Mediterranean Gull, Common Kingfisher, and Common Shelduck, which are present year-round, can be seen. In April and May, chances are best for observing Lesser Black-backed Gull and, with luck, Sandwich Tern and Caspian Tern. From late summer to autumn, rare guests like Red Phalarope, Arctic Skua, Long-tailed Skua, and Pomarine Skua can be seen with a scope and lots of luck.
From autumn to winter, interesting waterfowl stays in the bay, like Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Goldeneye, Northern Shoveler, and - again, with luck - Greater Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, and Red-necked Grebe. Especially the divers are present through to April.
You might also come across a White-tailed Eagle, but most likely it will have been raised in captivity: The station of the reintroduction programme „Les Aigles du Leman“ is situated close by.
Near the beach, in Sciez, a small wetland can be visited (2). It is most interesting during spring migration. Water Rail, Common Nightingale, Red-backed Shrike, Golden Oriole, European Turtle Dove, and Black Woodpecker are breeding here, Common Snipe, Meadow Pipit, and Hen Harrier are sometimes present in winter.
Rarities found at the Excenevex beach include Kittiwake, Slender-billed Gull, Collared Flycatcher, Gull-billed Tern, Great Black-backed Gull, one Great Skua in 1999 and even one Northern Gannet in 2003.
Details
Access
Excenevex beach is located on the south bank of Lake Geneva. There is a public parking close by the beach (click on the P in the map). Public transport is unfortunately scarce. There is a hourly bus connecting Yvoire and Thonon that stops close by; leave at La Pinède.
The paths are easily accessible, and the beach is usually empty in the winter, spring and late autumn, except for a few dogwalkers.
Terrain and Habitat
Lake , Beach , Scattered trees and bushes , WetlandConditions
Flat , SandyCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
YesGood birding season
Spring , Autumn , WinterBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
If possible, choose a day that is not too windy, as it can be difficult to search the waters of the lake when there are many waves.
Links
- Excellent description (in French) by Bastien Guibert
- E-Bird Barchart for (1)
- E-Bird Barchart for (2)
- Description of (2) (in French)