When we chose our current campsite in the Camargue I quickly noticed that there was a bird reserve nearby and better still it was connected by bus more or less to the campsite.

So I was up with the flamingos this morning; took Skye for a quick walk; had breakfast; sorted my camera and binoculars; and off I sprinted for the bus. Not surprisingly the bus only had one passenger – me. A quick ten minute drive saw me alighting outside Parc Ornithologique Pont de Gau.

Pont de Gau is a little more formally organised than RSPB reserves I’ve visited. Quite a few buildings at the entrance, binoculars for hire and a snack bar. It’s €8 entry which considering I was there for 3 hours, I think represents good value.

The parc is laid out with about 2 miles of trails. The section attracting the most attention were the lagoons designed for the local flamingos, of which there were hundreds. It being a Saturday, it was also the only area with, not a crowd exactly, but the most people.

I made my way round taking photographs as I went. I have a couple of apps on my phone relating to birds, which are very clever. For instance if you hear a bird, but don’t see it, you can record its call and the app will identify the species. Frustratingly I heard, but could not see a Sardinian Warbler and a bird I had never heard of before, called a Zitting Cisticola! How it got that name is anyone’s guess.

Many of the birds at this parc can occasionally be seen in the UK but are much commoner in these warmer climes. I only saw one bird which I had never seen before. (seen but not long enough for a photo)This was Cetti’s warbler. These birds are common in the UK but when you look at books at bird reserves it frequently says “Cetti’s warbler (heard but not seen). Its call is very loud and distinctive but the little chap is very elusive. Today however I heard it and saw it!

I ended my very enjoyable visit with a sandwich and then caught the bus back to the campsite.

I apologise for the number and limited subject matter of the photos today.