Bears Lake is a haven for wildlife. These include a wide variety of birds along with bats, amphibians and other animals. Since we bought the lake we have seen more than 100 species of birds. These include a variety of resident birds and summer visitors as well as species which are just passing through. We are located within one of the major bird migration corridors in Europe and so virtually anything can turn up at times in the spring and autumn. The most famous of these are the very large numbers of Common Crane which pass through this part of the Dordogne. On some days several thousand birds will pass over the lake.
Common Crane
More common resident birds that you will regularly see around the lake include Blackbird, Blue Tit, Kingfisher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Robin, Short-toed Treecreeper and Wren. More rarely seen species include Crested Tit and Hawfinch. Given the amount of woodland in the North Dordogne, woodpeckers are particularly well represented here and whilst Great Spotted Woodpecker remains the most frequent, we regularly also see Green Woodpecker and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We also see the much larger Black Woodpecker several times a year and have seen both Middle Spotted Woodpecker and Grey-headed Woodpecker..
Black Woodpecker
These resident birds are supplemented in the summer by a variety of summer visitors that breed in the woodland around the lake. These include species such as Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Golden Oriole, Melodious Warbler and Nightingale. Whilst Common Crane is our most famous migrating species, vast numbers of all species pass through the local area at times. These include very large numbers of Swallow. We have also had more unusual visitors to the lake including a group of very tired Common Sandpiper which were downed on the lake during bad weather on their to a breeding site somewhere in northern Europe. Birds of prey are also very well represented and in addition to resident Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, Hobby breeds locally. More uncommon species that we have seen at times have included Black Kite, Peregrine, Honey Buzzard, Montague’s Harrier and Red Kite.
Whilst you won’t see larger mammals around the lake now that we have an Otter fence in place, animals that you may see in the adjacent woodland include Badger, Beech Marten, Fox, Pine Marten, Roe Deer, Red Deer, Red Squirrel and Wild Boar. As hunting remains popular in this part of France, animals tend to be very cautious. Bats are particularly common and the combination of extensive woodland, lakes, streams and old rural properties makes for a fantastic bat habitat in this part of France. Several species are present including Common Pipistrelle, Barbastelle, Daubenton’s and Lesser Horseshoe.
Badger (Caught on One of Our Night Cameras)
Reptiles and Amphibians are also well represented. Wall Lizard is common whilst you may also see the much larger and more colourful Green Lizard. Occasional Grass Snake may also be seen crossing the lake.
Green Lizard
Amphibians include a variety of frog and toad species including Edible Frog, Natterjack Toad, Perez’s Frog and Southern Common Toad. Probably our most spectacular amphibian is the Fire Salamander. These spectacular animals are secretive although common locally. If you are at the lake during a warm/wet night in April or particularly in late-September/October they can usually be found on the paths around the lake.
Fire Salamander
With regard to insects, you will see a wide variety of dragonflies and damselflies around the lake at times. Butterflies are also well represented and include several species that are very rare in the UK. Species which are fairly common include Large Tortoiseshell, Map, Cleopatra, and Lesser Purple Emperor. You will also see a various species of Fritillary, the majority of which are quite difficult to identify.
There is more wildlife to see within relatively short walks from the lake including a good range of farmland birds including species such as Cirl Bunting which are very rare in the UK. You may also find such species as Red Backed-Shrike and Hoopoe, both of which breed locally. Other interesting walks from the lake take in other habitats such as the Grand Etang along with wildflower rich meadows. For anyone that it interested, we can provide some further details of circular walks from the lake.
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