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Birds and mammals of the Ariège Pyrenees :
Autumn report by Dave Watts
Dave Watts is a professional wildlife photographer who spends much of the year in Ariège. More examples of his work can be seen on his website, www.davewattsphoto.com. Read also : Summer, Winter, Spring
Dark shapes move eerily in a misty sunrise as deep bellows roar across the valley. Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness it is true, but in Ariège Autumn is the time for big mammals. Red Deer are at their most visible during the rut, the mating season, which occurs during September and October. The largest stags assemble herds of hinds into harems which need to be guarded from other stags. If a rival is of an equal size then a fight often develops which may result in injury.
Red Deer were practically wiped out through the Pyrenees during the early part of the 20th century but are now thriving and expanding their range and population thanks to re-introductions and protection.
One of the best areas to experience the excitement of rutting Red Deer includes the Massif de L’Arize which lies south of La Bastide-de-Sérou and north east of Massat.
The Isard or Pyrenean Chamois has recently been elevated to species status and is now abundant and still increasing throughout the Pyrenean mountain chain. Isard have an extraordinary capacity to bound at speed over rocks and to plunge down almost vertical cliffs with incredible agility.
Isard rarely exceed 35kg and yet possess a heart which weighs around 350g against around 280g for a human. This assures perfect oxygenation of the blood rich in red corpuscles.
At this time of the year Isard grow an attractive long winter coat in preparation for the rut. Isard rut quite late in the year from about mid November to mid December. The males perform extraordinary antics during the rut, chasing each other around the mountain slopes before claiming a female.
Isard are very visible and approachable at this time of year as the intensity of the mating urge causes them to lose much of their fear. The National Reserve of Orlu as well as the National Reserve of Mont Valier are both excellent areas for viewing Isard in the autumn.
Brown Bears will also be taking advantage of nature’s bounty during Autumn, fattening up on blueberries and beech mast in particular prior to entering hibernation in a small cave. Boutxy and Kouki are both male bears born in the central Pyrenees to mothers re-introduced from Slovenia in 1997. Both Boutxy and Kouki are resident in the Ariège in the forests east of Ax-les-Thermes. Both bears are equipped with radio transmitters under the skin so that biologists can monitor their movements.
A female bear of the same age named Caramelle is seen only rarely in forests close to Mt Valier where she is believed to be still accompanied by a one year old cub.
The really fantastic news is that Ziva (one of the two females re-introduced from Slovenia) has been seen in the Val d’Aran this year with two young cubs. We wish them all the very best.
Resident Foxes are also growing thicker winter coats and taking advantage of blackberries, rowanberries and even hawthornberies. Although the Fox is a true carnivore it is in fact highly omnivorous, readily eating beetles and earthworms as well as the numerous field mice and voles.
Berry-bearing shrubs provide vital food for both birds and mammals and should be protected where possible. Planting extra shrubs such as Berberis, Guelder Rose, Rowan, Elder, Pyrocantha or Crab Apples will act as a magnet for both birds and mammals.
On the bird front it becomes much quieter. Most migrating raptors have passed through by the end of October although warblers such as Chiffchaffs may be encouraged to sing on a sunny morning as they move south. I was very fortunate during early October to watch three Black Storks circling on a thermal close to Seix. Although still a very rare bird, Black Storks are increasing slowly due to protection.
Common Cranes are one of the last birds to fly south with most crossing the Pyrenees during late October and November. Cranes often fly very high when possible and the sight and sound of a flock of 200 Cranes bugling and drifting over the Pyrenees is a truly evocative experience.
One bird which does become more visible to the patient observer at this time of year is the Wallcreeper. Wallcreepers breed on cliffs high in the Pyrenees but move to lower altitudes during Autumn and Winter and may be seen at certain regular sites. These usually include gorges or cliffs and even walls of large buildings generally close to running water. One such site is the Gorge de la Frau near Lavelanet or the cliffs in the vicinity of Tarascon. A difficult bird to spot when perched so look out for a flash of crimson, black and white from broad rounded wings when the bird changes position.
Resident birds to look out for include flocks of Serins intermixed with Siskins. As the forests lose their leaves the wandering bands of tits become more visible. Watch out for the resident Marsh Tits and Crested Tits often travelling with family groups of Long-tailed Tits which frequently feed in the foliage of Birch trees.
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