IMG
© Sylvain Eichhorn

RN Petite Camargue Alsacienne

47.62602 , 7.53729

France

The Petite Camargue Alsacienne gives an impression of a pre-industrial landscape along the river Rhine. It mainly holds alluvial forest, intermixed with extensive patures, dry meadows and many waterbodies. The current reserve is a mixture of natural relict habitats and also many anthropogenic restoration efforts. Prime example for latter is the conversion of 100 hectares of maize into a diverse conservation area on the "Rhine island" in the eastern part of the reserve, completed in 2015.

The Petite Camargue is easily the most rewarding birding destination in the vicinity of Basel. The reserve is especially famous for the diversity of herons with comprises regularly breeding Gray Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron and sometimes Little Bittern. Great Bitterns are often wintering and rarer guests like Squacco Heron or Cattle Egret turn up from time to time in spring. Savi's Warbler, Gray-headed Woodpecker and Middle Spotted Woodpecker are other attractive breeders. In spring and autumn the reserve is a welcome resting place for migrating birds and attracts passerines, waders, Spotted Crakes. Rarities turn up from time to time.

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 47.6260/7.5373 (2020-11-06 19:26:56 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "RN Petite Camargue Alsacienne" (2020-11-06 19:26:56 )

Edited by Sylvain Eichhorn on 2021-07-06 09:22:44
The Petite Camargue Alsacienne gives an impression of a pre-industrial landscape along the river Rhine. It mainly holds alluvial forest, intermixed with extensive patures, dry meadows and many waterbodies. The current reserve is a mixture of natural relict habitats and also many anthropogenic restoration efforts. Prime example for latter is the conversion of 100 hectares of maize into a diverse conservation area on the "Rhine island" in the eastern part of the reserve, completed in 2015. The Petite Camargue is easily the most rewarding birding destination in the vicinity of Basel. The reserve is especially famous for the diversity of herons with comprises regularly breeding Gray Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron and sometimes Little Bittern. Great Bitterns are often wintering and rarer guests like Squacco Heron or Cattle Egret turn up from time to time in spring. Savi's Warbler, Gray-headed Woodpecker and Middle Spotted Woodpecker are other attractive breeders. In spring and autumn the reserve is a welcome resting place for migrating birds and attracts passerines, waders, Spotted Crakes. Rarities turn up from time to time.

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Not available yet

The place is appealing throughout the year. Spring is highly attractive because of the return of breeding birds including Common Cuckoo, Golden Oriole, warblers, Red-backed Shrike, Nightingale etc and some passage of migrating birds. Early morning is the best time for birdwatching. Summer additionally is very interesting for observing dragonflies and other flying insects - here, sunny days from mid-morning till afternoon yield best rewards. Automn is full of surprises throughout the day due to passage migrating birds including various wader-, warbler- or raptor species (Autumn migration is more active than spring migration).

The reserve is best visited by walking. However, some people enter by bike which is a nuisance for pedestrians because the tracks / trails are narrow.

Depending upon interest, a visit can last from half-day to full day or even for various days since the area is vast and some parts are accessible by considerable detours only (e.g. for visiting the north-eastern "Ile de Rhine").

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 14:51
The place is interesting appealing throughout the year. Spring is highly attractive because of the return of breeding birds including Common Cuckoo, Golden Oriole, warblers, Red-backed Shrike, Nightingale etc.etc and some passage of migrating birds. Early morning is the best time for birdwatching. Summer additionally is very interesting for observing dragonflies and other flying insects - here, sunny days from mid-morning till afternoon yield best rewards, automn rewards. Automn is full of surprises throughout the day due to its importance for passage of migrating birds including various wader-, warbler- or raptor species. species (Autumn migration is more active than spring migration). The reserve is best visited by walking. However, some people enter by bike which is a nuisance for pedestrians because the tracks / trails are narrow. Depending upon interest, a visit can last from half-day to full day or even for various days since the area is vast and some parts are accessible by considerable detours only (e.g. for visiting the north-eastern "Ile de Rhine").
Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 14:44
The place is interesting throughout the year. Spring is highly attractive because of the return of breeding birds including Common Cuckoo, Golden Oriole, warblers, Red-backed Shrike, Nightingale etc. Early morning is the best time for birdwatching. Summer is very interesting for observing dragonflies and other flying insects - here, sunny days from mid-morning till afternoon yield best rewards, automn is full of surprises throughout the day due to its importance for passage of migrating birds including various wader-, warbler- or raptor species. The reserve is best visited by walking. However, some people enter by bike which is a nuisance for pedestrians because the tracks / trails are narrow. Depending upon interest, a visit can last from half-day to full day or even for various days since the area is vast and some parts are accessible by considerable detours only (e.g. for visiting the northern north-eastern "Ile de Rhine" part.Rhine").
Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 14:39
The place is interesting throughout the year. Spring is highly attractive because of the return of breeding birds including Common Cuckoo, Golden Oriole, warblers, Red-backed Shrike, Nightingale etc. Early morning is the best time for birdwatching. Summer is very interesting for observing dragonflies and other flying insects - here, sunny days from mid-morning till afternoon yield best rewards, automn is full of surprises throughout the day due to its importance for passage of migrating birds including various wader-, warbler- or raptor species. The reserve is best visited by walking. However, some people enter by bike which is a nuisance for pedestrians because the tracks / trails are narrow. Depending upon interest, a visit can last from half-day to full day or even for various days since the area is vast and some parts are accessible by considerable detours only (e.g. for visiting the northern "Ile de Rhine" part.

By public transport:

From Basle railway station (Basel SBB) take tramway number 11 (crossing the Swiss-French border) to Saint-Louis train station (St-Louis Grenze) => From Saint-Louis train station (Gare de Saint-Louis) take bus number 604 for six stops to "Petite Camargue Alsacienne" (takes less than 10 minutes). Step out of the bus and return to the traffic light (50m) from where you turn left for another 50m and you find yourself at the entrance of the reserve. (There is no entrance fee and admission is 24/7)

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 14:53
By public transport: From Basle railway station (Basel SBB) take tramway number 11 (crossing the Swiss-French border) to Saint-Louis train station (St-Louis Grenze) => From Saint-Louis train station (Gare de Saint-Louis) take bus number 604 for six stops to "Petite Camargue Alsacienne" (takes less than 10 minutes). Step out of the bus and return to the traffic light (50m) than from where you turn left for another 50m and you find yourself at the entrance of the reserve. (There is no entrance fee and admission is 24/7)
Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 14:40
By public transport: From Basle railway station (Basel SBB) take tramway number 11 (crossing the Swiss-French border) to Saint-Louis train station (St-Louis Grenze) => From Saint-Louis train station (Gare de Saint-Louis) take bus number 604 for six stops to "Petite Camargue Alsacienne" (takes less than 10 minutes). Step out of the bus and return to the traffic light (50m) than turn left for another 50m and you find yourself at the entrance of the reserve. (There is no entrance fee and admission is 24/7)
Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 14:10
By public transport: From Basle railway station (Basel SBB) take tramway number 11 to Saint-Louis train station (St-Louis Grenze) => From Saint-Louis train station (Gare de Saint-Louis) take bus number 604 for six stops to "Petite Camargue Alsacienne" (in (takes less than 10 minutes). Step out of the bus and return to the traffic light (50m) than turn left for another 50m and you find yourself at the reserve entrance. entrance of the reserve. (There is no entrance fee) fee and admission is 24/7)
Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 13:48
By public transport: From Basle railway station (Basel SBB) take tramway number 11 to Saint-Louis train station (St-Louis Grenze) => From Saint-Louis train station (Gare de Saint-Louis) take bus number 604 for six stops to "Petite Camargue Alsacienne" (in less than 10 minutes). Step out of the bus and return to the traffic light (50m) than turn left for another 50m and you find yourself at the reserve entrance. (There is no entrance fee)

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet

Other rich wildlife in the reserve includes wild-boar, roe deer, red fox, mustelids, hare, reptiles, amphibians and some fish species. In spring mainly various places attract botanists or orchid lovers due to its considerable varieties of rare wild flowers (hyazinths, anemones or orchids).

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 15:04
Other rich wildlife in the reserve includes wild-boar, roe deer, red fox, mustelids, hare, reptiles, amphibians and some fish species. In spring mainly various places attract botanists or orchid lovers due to its considerable varieties of rare wild flowers (hyazinths, anemones or orchids).

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

A safe place, no offenses, no dangerous animals nor natural hazards (you must stay on the tracks) absolutely secure => just don't forget any items eg. in a hide / observation tower, it may not to be found again ....

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Otto Pfister on 2023-05-28 14:08
A safe place, no offenses, no dangerous animals nor natural hazards (you must stay on the tracks) absolutely secure => just don't forget any items eg. in a hide / observation tower, it may not to be found again ....
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RN Petite Camargue Alsacienne - Orniverse