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Description
The Aigoual is worth a visit at all seasons, but winter and spring will be best. The summit itself is a vast pasture with Горный конёк and Обыкновенный жулан. Surrounding conifer and beech forests host a nice mid-european bird community with Желна, Мохноногий сыч, Воробьиный сычик, Черноголовая гаичка, Московка, Лесной конёк and other common species that do not occur in the nearby mediterranean plain. Оляпка breeds along rivers on the way to the top, eg near Valleraugue. The Vallée du Bonheur which leaves from Camprieu pond is a good place for Горная овсянка and Обыкновенный жулан in May. This place will offer some of the best birding of the area.
The Aigoual is also worth a visit from late october to late march for Альпийская завирушка (up to 15-20 indivuduals winter around the weather station and castle at the very top) and possibly Снежный воробей (up to a few tens but missing some years). Thrushes may show up in the nearby Camprieu plain if the weather is cold (Рябинник and Белобровик). Raptors can occur in good weather (Беркут , Белоголовый сип).
Details
Access
The Aigoual is a 2h drive north from Montpellier. In spring, the Vallée du Bonheur from Camprieu pond (2) is probably the best bet for a morning visit (foot track from the pond climbing gently upwards along the valley, then crossing a beech forest - it is a 2-3h loop). The Lac de Pises (3), a 30' drive from Camprieu, deserves a morning or evening visit (avoid it during midday as it is a classic picnic place). Wolves sightings have become regular in this area. For forests, try the Col du Minier (4) and forests between Camprieu and the summit. You can park at the Aigoual summit (1). Note that it can be very cold in windy winter days. You can wander around the weather station for Альпийская завирушка and Снежный воробей in winter or Обыкновенный жулан, Каменка and Горный конёк in summer.