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Parc Athéna

Marseille  >  France

Small city park in Marseille that can be good for birding during migration. Especially La Grave water basin attracts interesting birds and sometimes rarities.

Added* by Thierry Martin
Most recent update 26 July 2021
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Description

The Athena Park extends over 14.5 hectares of former agricultural land. Its natural water resources, in particular the streams of the Grave and the Bessons, generate wetlands. Willows, poplars, ash trees and elms border the streams and reeds have spontaneously colonized the pond transformed into a retention basin. These wet habitats and the La Grave water basin attract many birds and sometimes offer a resting place and food to migratory birds, especially when the water level is low. The park and the basin are best for birding during migration, and mainly in spring (from March to June). Among the birds you can see in the area are Eurasian Hoopoe, Little Owl, Eurasian Green Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail, Mandarin Duck and during migration birds like Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Green Sandpiper and Jack Snipe. Rare birds like Little Crake, Collared Flycatcher and Great Snipe have been seen during migration.

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Français: Le parc Athéna, situé au cœur du Pôle technologique de Château Gombert, s’étend sur 14,5 hectares d’anciennes terres agricoles. Les qualités paysagères du site, les éléments patrimoniaux sauvegardés et son potentiel naturel confèrent à ce parc une identité forte. Ses ressources naturelles en eau, notamment les ruisseaux de la Grave et des Bessons, génèrent des zones humides, plutôt rares sur le territoire de la commune. Saules, peupliers, frênes, ormes, cannes de Provence bordent les ruisseaux et des roseaux ont spontanément colonisé la mare transformée en bassin de rétention. Sur le plateau, en revanche, on retrouve la végétation habituelle des espaces naturels méditerranéens : pins d’Alep, pins parasol, et chênes pubescents. Cette diversité végétale attire une faune variée et offre parfois repos et nourriture aux oiseaux migrateurs.

Details

Access

From the city center of Marseille, take the direction of Plan-de-Cuques by taking the rue Albert Einstein. The Athena Park is located shortly after the buildings of the École Centrale de Marseille, in the Technopole of Château-Gombert. Click on the P in the map to get directions to a parking.

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Français: Depuis le centre-ville de Marseille, prendre la direction de Plan-de-Cuques en empruntant notamment la rue Albert Einstein. Le parc Athéna est visible peu après les bâtiments de l’École Centrale de Marseille, dans le Technopôle de Château-Gombert. Cliquez sur le P sur la carte pour obtenir l'itinéraire vers un parking.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Lake , Grassland , Scattered trees and bushes , Reedbeds

Conditions

Wet , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn migration , Spring migration

Route

Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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