Mercantour Fauna

Larger wild mammals are rare in the Provence and Alpes-Maritimes Regions, however there are wild boar that can be found in parts of Provence. The Mercantour National Park is a haven for all types of mammal and here you may catch a glimpse of the re-introduced Italian wolf. Other animals you will find here include polecats, badgers, weasels, foxes, pine martens, marmots, chamois, ibex and of course the wild boar.

Across the whole area you will hear the familiar sound of tree crickets or cicada. For most people this sounds signifies a warm Mediterranean style climate and this is exactly what they enjoy. Lizards are also very common in the regions, especially the small 'skinks' that you will see darting about even in the centre of town.

Birds and seabirds are of course very common with many species migrating here or using the area as a stopping point on their way further south. Swarms of swifts can often be seen above fields and even over the towns and cities and flamingo are prevalent in the wetlands of the Camargue in particular, where they will nest and can reach populations of around 20,000.

Aigles royaux - (Golden eagle) - © Jacques Blanc

Bouquetin - (Alpine ibex) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Cabris - (Young goats) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Marmottes - (Marmots) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Femelle de lagopède alpin - (Rock ptarmigan) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Lagopède alpin - (Rock ptarmigan) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Perdrix Bartavelles - (Rock partridge) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Chamois - (Chamois) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Chevreuil mâle - (Roe deer) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Chouette chevêchette - (Northern pygmy owl) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Bouquetin - (Alpine ibex) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Lagopède alpin - (Rock ptarmigan) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Tétras lyre - (Black grouse) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Tichodrôme echelette - (Wallcreeper) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Chamois - (Chamois) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Perdrix Bartavelles - (Rock partridge) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Chevreuil - (Roe deer) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Marmottes - (Marmot) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Renarde - (Vixen) - © Sébastien Dellepiane

Deux Cabris et un éterlou (ou une éterle ?) sur la droite de l'image - (Two Young goats and a young chamois on the right) - © Bernard Bonifassi

Your guide in Mercantour

Titulaire des Brevets d’état nationaux d’accompagnateur en montagne et de ski alpin, Sébastien Dellepiane passe la plus grande partie de son temps en montagne et dans la nature en général. Naturaliste et photographe, il considère que chaque sortie dans la nature n’est pas un simple déplacement d’un point à un autre, mais plutôt un voyage dont les enseignements permettent de comprendre comment chaque élément du parcours interagit avec les autres et avec les randonneurs que nous sommes.

Lors de vos sorties, Sébstien vous invitera à découvrir et comprendre, au travers d’anecdotes ou de mises en situation, les stratégies que la faune et la flore ont développées pour survivre dans les milieux qu’elles occupent. Il vous donnera également les clés pour mettre de votre côté toutes les chances pour observer la faune sauvage sans la déranger.

Vous pourrez également échanger sur les techniques photographiques afin que vos photos de vacances vous rendent toute l’intensité du moment.

Randozoom-nature

More info about Mercantour

The link between the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean, the Parc National du Mercantour, is one of the richest natural spaces in this metropolitan area, thanks to its biodiversity. The varied splendour of its landscapes, wild nature and cultural and historic wealth contributed to its acquisition of ‘National Park’ status in 1979, acknowledged worldwide as offering the highest level of quality and protection for outstanding natural spaces. From olive groves to Alpine pastures and from larch forests to snowy peaks, Mercantour is home to a rare variety of fauna, flora and landscapes, unique even on a global scale. Just an hour’s drive from the sea, you can get up close and personal with wildlife near the glacial lakes or follow the winding course of a stream on a mountain bike. The Ubaye river is ideal for rafting and kayaking – and its tributaries for canyoning. The Serre-Ponçon lake is devoted to family bathing and watersports (windsurfing, sailing, etc) and going paragliding will allow you to admire the entire beautiful landscape from the air.