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Lido des Aresquiers

Hérault  >  France

The Lido des Aresquiers is a must-go for anyone visiting the Montpellier area during passerine migrations. The site is at its best in spring.

Geplaatst* door Jean-Yves Barnagaud
Meest recente update 18 december 2025
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Beschrijving

Lido des Aresquiers consists of a long 5 km straight stretch of sandy beach between brackish ponds and the Mediterranean Sea, partly covered with grasses and tamarisks. It is the first land seen by migrants from Africa in spring and the last land before crossing the Mediterranean in autumn. Both passages are worth a visit, although spring (mid April to mid May) is best. In autumn, the passage expands from late August to late October (avoid windy days).

All insectivorous passerines can occur there, with good numbers of Tjiftjaf, Fitis, all common warbler species, passages of swallows and swifts. Raptors (incl. Wespendief) not before early May. Boomvalk from mid April, Grauwe Kiekendief and Visarend. Common species that can be expected anytime between mid April and mid May include Gekraagde Roodstaart, Grasmus, reed warblers, Bonte Vliegenvanger and Grauwe Vliegenvanger. Uncommon migrants seen several times per season include Fluiter, Draaihals and shrikes.

With light southerly winds and clear weather, there are good chances of a fallout including local rarities. In mid April, Moltoni's Baardgrasmus is uncommon but regular. Spotvogel (after mid-May), Roodkeelpieper (April) and Ortolaan are recorded every year. More irregularly, Roodpootvalk or Eleonora's Valk, Steppekiekendief, Siberische Tjiftjaf (mostly in autumn ). Withalsvliegenvanger can be seen.

The site also has its share of megas, including Moorse Nachtzwaluw, Atlasgrasmus and Balkanbergfluiter.

The ponds and marshes around can host small numbers of waders, gulls, terns and herons.

Details

Toegang

Lido des Aresquiers is located 25 km south of Montpellier. The red marker on the map locates Mas d'Ingril, the westernmost site of interest. Expect a 40 minute drive from Montpellier. The site can also be reached safely by bike.

Mas d'Ingril is a former pasture now changed into a wasteland with tamarisk. It has one of the area's best rarities record. It won't take long before you know whether there has been a fall of migrants. However, a rarity can occur even in empty days, so take some time to circle around the pasture and check the ponds even if they do not look birdy. Also remind that this area can be empty while other places around are full of birds, and inversely.

The nearby parking lot itself is a good spot for passerines. Walk slowly eastwards, checking bushes on the way. You can move as far as you want, or drive east for a couple of km to the next parking lot, left just after the bridge over the canal. This will lead you to the Aresquiers beach. Walk along the bushes on the seashore, as far as you wish. A good plan is to walk east for a few km until a path that allows crossing the marshes to join the track along the canal and move back to the bridge. This can be done in 2-4h, depending on bird activity.

Terrein en leefgebied

Verspreide bomen en struiken , Duinen , Zee , Slikken

Omstandigheden

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Ja

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Lente , Herfst

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Voorjaarstrek , Najaarstrek

Route

Breed pad , Smal pad , Verharde weg , Onverharde weg

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemiddeld

Toegankelijk via

Te voet , Fiets

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Nee

Extra info

Take mosquito repellent with you. In warm, sunny days, many people are heading to the beach, act discrete with your binoculars. At Mas d'Ingril, dogs sometimes wander freely and may be a nuisance.

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