Every winter, the mudflats are covered with tens of thousands of waterbirds, and then the scenery changes completely in the spring. The birds of the Arcachon Basin are concentrated in four protected areas, all of which can be visited for the day from our campsite on the Arcachon Basin in Andernos-les-Bains.

Brant goose, white stork, sandwich tern: here are the species to look for, the times of year when they can be seen, and the observation sites where you can watch them without disturbing them.

This Topic at a Glance

In winter, when the Canada geese take over the mudflats

The dark-bellied brant dominates the winter scene. According to the Arcachon Bay Marine Nature Park, nearly 70,000 brants spend the winter on the water, representing more than 25% of the global population of this species. They arrive as early as October and depart for the Arctic tundra in February. These geese graze on the dwarf eelgrass beds that cover the seabed. Alongside them, dunlins forage in tight groups in the mudflats as soon as the tide goes out.

Here’s a tip: head out 2 hours before high tide, because the rising tide drives the shorebirds toward you.

Our observations: The best mornings are on weekdays, when the waterways remain calm. From the shores of Andernos-les-Bains, a quick stop along the coastal trail is all it takes to spot the first flocks of Canada geese, even without powerful binoculars. They emit a distinctive, rolling caw that carries far across the water. Listen before you look: your ears will spot the flock long before your eyes do.

From spring to summer: the breeding season

In the spring, migratory birds returning from Africa replace the wintering birds. The Teich Bird Sanctuary then welcomes its white storks to the nesting platforms, as well as white spoonbills and Belon shelducks. This 110-hectare site has recorded more than 320 species since it opened to the public in 1972, 80 of which nest there. Further offshore, the Banc d’Arguin Nature Reserve protects the colony of sandwich terns, the pied oystercatcher, and the ringed plover, which lays its eggs directly on the sand. This is why the nesting areas are closed to the public for part of the summer.

4 nature reserves for birdwatching in the Arcachon Basin

Four protected sites cover most of the habitats in the Arcachon Basin, from mudflats to salt marshes:

• The Teich Bird Sanctuary features 6 kilometers of trails and about 20 wooden observation decks, spread across 110 hectares of lagoons and reed beds.
• The Certes and Graveyron estate, in Audenge, covers 530 hectares managed by the Gironde Department, which has recorded 253 bird species there; admission is completely free.
• The salt marshes of Arès and Lège-Cap Ferret cover 330 hectares, including 200 hectares of salt marshes, through which runs a marked trail approximately 9 kilometers long.
• The Banc d’Arguin, located across from the Dune du Pilat, covers 4,360 hectares and is home to 205 species of birds; access is restricted to boat traffic.

Our favorite spot: The Domaine de Certes remains a hidden gem overlooked by visitors, who all head straight to Le Teich. Yet it’s located in the town next to Campsite Fontaine Vieille, admission is free, and the old fish ponds have been transformed into vast bodies of water. Our guests get there by bike, using the hybrid bikes we rent out at the front desk.

Best Practices for Avoiding Disturbing Wildlife

Successful birdwatching depends more on discretion than on equipment. Keep your distance, stay on the marked trails, and leave your dog at home: a disturbed wader expends energy reserves that it may not always be able to replenish. A pair of 8×42 binoculars is more than enough at the observation stations. Finally, check the tide schedule before you go, because at low tide, the birds scatter across kilometers of mudflats.

As our reception team points out: vacationers return most impressed by the sounds, not the sights. A mudflat in the early morning is like a concert.

Are you looking for a place to stay that puts you just a few minutes away from the nature reserves, rather than an hour’s drive? Book your stay at our campsite, Camping Fontaine Vieille, in Andernos-les-Bains, and head out to watch the birds as soon as the sun rises.