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Etang des Monteaux

Maine-et-Loire  >  France

The lake of Les Monteaux is a former sand quarry. It has a large water surface as well as sandy islands.

Added* by Martin de Lajudie
Most recent update 26 February 2023

Description

The Etang des Monteaux is the result of sand mining. It now forms a large lake that is interspersed with islets of sand where short vegetation allows the nesting of species such as Mediterranean Gull (which nests there by hundreds of individuals), Black-headed Gull, Little Ringed Plover and Common Tern. The lake is also home to other breeders such as Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Common Pochard and sometimes Red-crested Pochard. The lake plays a crucial role in migration at the departmental and regional level, particularly through the importance of the passage of ducks.

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Français: Ancienne carrière de sable, le plan d'eau des Monteaux est constitué d'une importante surface aquatique ainsi que d'ilôts sablonneux. La suite de l'extraction de sable sur le site, une cuvette s'est formée. Elle forme aujourd'hui un étang d'une importante surface. Il est entrecoupé d'îlots de sable ou une végétation rase permet la nidification d'espèces telles que la Mediterranean Gull (qui y niche par centaines d'individus),la Black-headed Gull, le Little Ringed Plover et la Common Tern. L'étang accueillent aussi d'autres nicheurs comme le Great Crested Grebe , le Little Grebe, le Black-necked Grebe, le Common Pochard et parfois la Red-crested Pochard. L'étang joue un rôle crucial dans la migration au niveau départemental et régional, par l'importance de passage de canards notamment.

Details

Access

It is possible to park a few hundred meters from the main observatory (located not far from the road) or to park in the car park of the leisure center a few hundred meters further.

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Français: Il est possible de se garer à quelques centaines de mètres de l'observatoire principal (situé non loin de la route) ou de se garer au parking de la base de loisirs quelques centaines de mètres plus loin.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Reedbeds , Lake

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , Open landscape , Dusty , Wet

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Summer , Spring migration , Autumn migration , Winter

Route

Paved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Bicycle , Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

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