c

Lac de Miélan

Gers  >  France

Artificial reservoir of 70 ha created on the river Osse to allow the irrigation of crops. The lake attracts many migratory and wintering birds.

Added* by Francis Fortin
Most recent update 28 August 2022
This birdingplace has not been rated yet. Click here to be the first to rate this area with 1 to 5 stars

Description

Lac de Miélan is a staging area for waterbirds during migration and wintering, but also a breeding area for herons. Being located on an important migratory axis, many bird species make a stop here or overwinter. It hosts, in winter, large colonies of Common Teal and Common Pochard, but also a few pairs of Little Egret. Other species you can observe include Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Little Grebe and Dunlin. Sometimes less common birds like Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard or Osprey can be spotted. The willows of the upstream part are home to a breeding colony of Grey Heron, Cattle Egret and Black-crowned Night Heron. Other birds you can see around the lake are Common Snipe, Reed Bunting and Eurasian Goshawk.

_________________________

Français: Ce lac représente une retenue artificielle de 70 ha créée en 1967 sur l’Osse pour permettre l’irrigation des cultures. Il constitue une zone de stationnement privilégiée pour les oiseaux d’eau lors des migrations et en hivernage, mais aussi une zone de reproduction pour les ardéidés. Étant situé sur un axe migratoire important, le lac permet le stationnement de nombreuses espèces. Il héberge, en hivernage, d’importantes colonies de Sarcelle d’hiver et de Fuligule milouin, mais également quelques couples d'Aigrette garzette. D’autres espèces fréquentent aussi le plan d’eau, dont le Canard souchet, le Canard chipeau, le Grèbe castagneux et le Bécasseau variable. Les saulaies de la partie amont accueillent une colonie plurispécifique d’ardéidés : une vingtaine de couples de Héron cendré et autant de Héron garde-bœufs, une dizaine de couples de Héron bihoreau.

Details

Access

Lac de Miélan is located about fifteen kilometers from Mirande, between Tarbes and Auch.

_________________________

Français: Situé à une quinzaine de kilomètres de Mirande, entre Tarbes et Auch.

Terrain and Habitat

Lake

Conditions

Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Autumn migration , Spring migration , Spring

Route

Paved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Click on the little bird icon () to insert bird names in your own language. The birdnames will automatically be translated for other users!