Description
On the banks of the river Durance just outside Mérindôl, you can find a big birdwatching observatory. It is one of the better birdwatching points in the Luberon region. From the hide and along the river you can look for Prugasti orao, Zmijar, Bela kanja, Riđa lunja, Crna lunja, all kinds of warblers, Vuga, Bela čiopa, Gorska lasta, Žuta čaplja, Mala bela čaplja, Buljina and Senica vuga. During migration you might see Crvena čaplja or Ševarski trstenjak here. You can visit only the observatory or combine it with a nice 3 km circular hike.
Details
Access
From Cavaillon on the D973, turn right, as you reach the village of Merindol. Follow the signs to 'Observatoire ornithologique'. Best to visit in the morning when the sun is behind you. In the afternoon, it is better to stop at the far bank on the Mallemort side of the reservoir. You can also make a 3 km circular hike (see the map) to explore a larger part of the area. The trail is marked with yellow markers.

