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 Because
agriculture is only on a small scale and is mainly pasture, the wildflowers
are a particular feature of the area. A stroll along the road offers
wonderful displays of harebells, cowslips, milkmaids and bright blue
chicory. In the spring the fields are dotted with orchids and later
in the summer a perfume of wild mint and thyme lingers in the air.
In the mountains of the Cantal carpets of wildlflowers stretch into
the distance with the remarkable great yellow gentian standing tall
before its roots are harvested for the local liqueur.
As autumn approaches the walnut and fig trees drop their fruit for the passer-by and the farmers are busy collecting the grape harvest. Eventually the tree covered hills turn to a patchwork of gold, red and bronze before winter brings its bright frosty days. Just 30 minutes away on the other side of the valley from St Cere begins the drier but equally interesting "Parc Naturel Regional des Causses de Quercy". Spring arrives on the Causses a little earlier and the whole area is a haven for wildlife, particularly the multitude of butterflies and insects. This vast area is a protected landscape supporting large populations of breeding birds. We have christened one particular path as "nightingale alley" with dozens singing loudly amongst the scrub. Here you may also find the short-toed eagle, a beautiful sight flying high on the thermals. Alternatively a 2 hour drive east will take you to the spectacular "Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d'Auvergne" with it's stunning extinct volcanoes. But you don't have to go far to meet the wildlife.
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BIRDS |
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BUTTERFLIES |
Small Tortoiseshell Peacock Comma Silver Washed Fritillary Meadow Fritillary Apollo Large White Black Veined White Orange Tip Clouded Yellow Brimstone |
Cleopatra Purple Hairstreak Small Copper Sooty Copper Marbled White Grayling Meadow Brown Ringlet Gatekeeper Speckled Wood |
ANYTHING
ELSE NOT IN THE ABOVE |
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Home/Bedrooms
and Meals/Explore the Area/Walking
Holidays/Prices and Contact/Location
and Travel |
Whichever
direction you go the scenery is stunning, the countryside is inspiring
and the wildlife is all around you. Our home is located in the "Jardin
du Segala" which as the name suggests is lush and green
for much of the year. On the edge of the Masiff Central the
hills rise to over 600m and are covered in great expanses of oak,
chestnut, beech and hazel trees. Between the hills the countryside
descends steeply to delightful river valleys with micro-climates
supporting a wide diversity of wildlife. Walk along the top of the
limestone cliffs for spectacular far reaching views before winding
your way down to pretty villages nestling below.
The
fields around the house are a wonderful place to view a wide variety
of birds and animals. The common and honey buzzards sit on the
fence posts outside the house and red and black kites circle overhead.
The wonderful "comical" hoopoe has been spotted many
times in the field in front of the house and while you are sitting
in the garden you may well be joined by redstarts (nesting in our
well), the melodious warbler and families of marsh and crested
tits. Deer visit our field, red squirrels live in the pine forest
behind our house and hares are often seen leaping around in the
fields nearby. If you are very lucky you may even spot a pine marten
or badgers or if you are returning along the river valley in the
early evening the otter can occasionally be seen playing in the
field.
The
following is a very non-scientific list of the wildife spotted
in the area: