Gîte Océanite - Kerlouan
Seasonal rental
NATURE / BIRDWATCHING
One of the specificities of this gite is its "nature and birds" orientation!
The house is at the crossroads of excellent ornithological sites, the baie of Guissény and the ponds of Curnic and du Pont, the well-known semaphore of Brignogan and, a little far east of the baie de Goulven and the anse de Kernic.
IN SUMMER
In summer, waders are already crowding in baie de Goulven at high tide, as are terns. You have to go see them at rising tide at the pointe de Tréguiller, near Plounéour-Trez or at a place called La Digue, east of the bay. We have a remarkable view of the site and birds often at close range.
THE SEAWATCHING AT BRIGNOGAN
Similarly, at the end of summer and in September-October, the Brignogan semaphore is the best site in Brittany to make seawatching : gannets, balearic and Manx shearwaters, terns, skuas, kittiwakes, alcids (sometimes in thousands) pass not far from the coast. If the winds are from the west, northwest and north, the chances are increased to have a close and important passage. Ideally, if there was a strong gale from the West, this is when the passage is most important. There is then a good chance of observing British and Leach’s storm-petrels, sooty shearwater, Sabine and little gulls, grey phalarope, long-tailed skua, sometimes Cory’s and Great shearwaters. Some days, the flow of migrants is continuous! It is best to have a telescope.
Later in the season, divers, waders, sometimes the little auk, are passing by.
AUTUMN
Etang du Pont and étang du Curnic are still home to shorebirds and ducks, and you can look for a species or another from North America in autumn, after westerly gales.
A little further west, the Vougo site is interesting for migrating passerines in September and October.
IN WINTER
In winter, brent geese are visible in anse de Guissény and baie de Goulven, as well as ducks (pintails, wigeons). Great northern diver is regular at sea, and in the anse de Kernic, in Plouescat, a good place for both snow and lapland buntings (and look at the thousands of larids which come at high tide).
SPRING
In spring, the migrants return: waders, terns, but also passerines make often a short stoparound de baie de Goulven. Fan-tailed warbler and Cetti’s warbler are also there.
Finally, for those who want to go further, the Ouessant (Ushant) and Sein islands, like baie d’Audierne are other very well-known paradises for birds.
MAMMALS
About mammals, dolphins (common bottlenose, short-beaked common dolphin, harbour porpoise) are regularly seen in front of Brignogan's semaphore. Grey seals are visible (but often far) on the islets between Landunvez and Porsall, further west. But the species is also regularly seen in Brignogan's semaphore.