Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is a Region of eastern France that covers an area of 47,784 km2 (18,450 square miles) with a population of over 2.8 million people. Its administrative capital is Besançon, although the largest city is Dijon. It is made up of eight departments of Côte-d’Or, Doubs, Jura, Nièvre, Haute-Saône, Saône-et-Loire, Yonne and Territoire de Belfort.

The region borders Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to the south, Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine to the north, Île-de-France to the northwest, Centre-Val de Loire to the west and Switzerland (Cantons of Jura, Neuchâtel and Vaud) to the east. It is a major wine-growing area.

Franche-Comté is dominated by the Jura Mountains in the east and plains inn the west, and much of the region is covered by forests and woodlands. The basin of the upper Saône River extends into Jura with agricultural land, lakes and woodland.

Lac de Vouglans – ©Parrad.adrien CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Annual precipitation is high, most of which is snow Mountains, which can reach heights of more than 4,900 feet. Winters in the mountains are long and harsh. The climate generally tends to cold Winters and mild Summers. There are many regional variations depending on local conditions and terrain.

Birding Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

The low density of population and the elevated wooded terrain in the east makes for some interesting inland birding. There are rivers and wetlands but they are not on the same scale as many other areas of France. Nevertheless, there is some fine countryside to explore with a varied and rich avifauna.

Loire Bourguignonne Nature Reserve – ©Szeder László CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

For example, the Loire Bourguignonne Nature Reserve features sandbanks and wetlands holding Common Tern, Little Tern, and Stone-curlew, with thousands of Common Cranes in winter. It stretches over 730 hectares on the banks of the Loire.  The river’s meanders have landscape, especially during floods. In the summer, Terns and Stone-curlew come to breed on the sandbanks and pebbles while thousands of Common Crane spend the winter on the reserve.

The Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park covers 165,000 hectares of mountain, forest, and wetlands in the Jura range, so is ideal for spotting alpine bird species. Itb has been described as profoundly scenic, as it boasts dense forests, stunning waterfalls, and rolling hills.

On a smaller scale Gravières d’Osselle gravel pits near then capital Besançon have recorded over 210 species, including Common Kingfisher. The pits are bordered by meadows and agriculture land, and as many as 90 species of birds breed in the area. On the sandy banks nest Sand Martin and European Bee-eater. On the gently sloping banks and the surroundings of the site Little Ringed Plovers nest. Many other species of heron, birds of prey and passerines also make a stop in the area, feed here or nest in the bushy vegetation.

Combe Lavaux Nature Reserve – ©Christophe.Finot CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The spectacular limestone cliffs of Combe Lavaux Nature Reserve provide habitats for Peregrine Falcon and, during winter, the much sought-after Wallcreeper.

The Etang du Malsaucy is a top site for waterfowl at many time and for many species during migration.

Morvan Regional Natural Park is a protected area of woodlands, lakes, and traditional farmland that makes for a variety of habitats for several different species. If you crave lush greenery and peaceful woods, the Morvan Regional Park will be your go-to destination. The park offers a picturesque landscape with gentle hills, serene lakes, whether you’re hiking, bird-watching, or picnicking with your family.

The Parc Naturel Régional des Ballons des Vosges has some breathtaking views where mountains meet forests. It is known for its stunning biodiversity. Finally, the Réserve Naturelle de la Grande Noé is a hidden gem, offering a serene environment to learn about and appreciate the beauty of nature and the diverse species that inhabit the area.