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The reeds of Rouelbeau, near the notable Marais de Sionnet, feature bobnarica and čapljica. The pond is worth a visit especially during migration.
Rouelbeau can be conveniently visited after a trip to the nearby Marais de Sionnet (also described on Birdingplaces). Both sites are results of the Seymaz River renaturation projects carried out in the 2000s. Unlike the Marais de Sionnet, Rouelbeau lacks the floodplains suitable for waders. Among the 175 species recorded here, regular visitors and residents of the reedbeds include bobnarica and čapljica, along with other notable species.
Once a marsh, Rouelbeau is now a 410-meter-long but only a few dozen meters wide pond surrounded by reeds. It can be observed from one of its narrow ends. While the pond and reedbeds are interesting year-round, the surrounding fields are especially rich in surprises during migration periods.
Focusing on the pond area, winter offers good chances of seeing tatarska žvižgavka and žličarica, with žvižgavka and dolgorepa raca becoming rarer in recent years. reglja can be observed from spring to autumn, and veliki žagar is present year-round. The pond also attracts some escapees, with records of mandarinka, nevestica, Netta peposaca, and Anas bahamensis.
The reedbeds are dominated by zelenonoga tukalica, srpična trstnica, and siva čaplja. Among them, other species like vodomec, Mokož, and mali ponirek, which are present year-round, and rakar, which breeds here, may be encountered. During migration, plašica, bičja trstnica, kvakač, and rjava čaplja can be seen. čapljica breeds here in spring and summer, while bobnarica visits only in winter, accompanied by rjavi lunj and velika bela čaplja.
In the marginal areas, waders such as mali deževnik and črni martinec were more common in the past. Today, pikasti martinec, kozica, and priba are occasional guests during migration, with the latter two sometimes staying into the winter months.
From April to May, the surrounding fields and hedges are worth exploring for repaljščica, duplar, fazan, slavec, rjavi srakoper, kratkoperuti vrtnik, and travniška cipa. The likelihood of spotting a rarer pipit or breeding bird here may be greater than within Rouelbeau itself. The notable rarities recorded, including čopasta čaplja, srpokljuni prodnik, and polojnik, date back to the early 2000s.
Rouelbeau can be reached on foot from the Marais de Sionnet (1) in about 15 minutes. During migration, it’s worth checking the surrounding fields and hedges on the way for pipits, buntings, and various warblers. If you want to start at Rouelbeau itself, the nearest bus stops are Carre d’Amont or Meinier, Pralys. For those arriving by car, parking is available at the nearby sports center (Press P on the map for directions). However, the best way to explore the area is by bike.
Unfortunately, the site itself can only be observed from one location (2), with most waterbirds usually gathering at the far end (3). Bringing a scope and a bit of patience is highly recommended!
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