Grand-Est
Grand Est is a landlocked region of northeast France made up of three former regions; Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine. It contains ten departments: Ardennes, Aube, Bas-Rhin, Marne, Haute-Marne, Haut-Rhin, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Vosges.. It sits astride three water basins, the Seine, the Meurs and the Rhine, and covers an area of 57,433 square kilometres (22,175 square miles) making it the sixth-largest of the French regions. It has a population of around 5.6 million people. The administrative capital and largest city is Strasbourg with around 300,000 inhabitants.
It shares borders with four countries – Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland along its northern and eastern sides. It is the only French region to border more than two countries. It also borders the region of Hauts-de-France to the northwest, Île-de-France to the west and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. To the south.
The main ranges in the region include the Vosges to the east and the Ardennes to the north. The region is bordered on the east by the Rhine which forms most of the border with Germany. Other major rivers which flow through the region include: the Meuse, Moselle, Marne, and Saône. Large lakes include: lac de Gérardmer, lac de Longemer, lac de Retournemer, lac des Corbeaux, Lac de Bouzey, lac de Madine, étang du Stock and lac de Pierre-Percée.
Lac des Corbeaux – Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Roughly speaking, the climate of the western half of the region tends to have cool, mild winters and warm summers, but the eastern half is characterised by cold winters and hot summers.
Birding Grand Est
The countryside of much of the region is very variable; having areas with distinct character. Most notable is the high clay plateau forming the watershed between the Marne and the Seine rivers. In this flat and wet area three very large artificial lakes have been created that regulate the flow in the Marne and Seine rivers. This means that they progressively dry out from late spring onwards and are at their lowest in November. Famous for their Catfish and Carp fishery, the lakes also provide a home for vast numbers of birds, at all times of the year. They are the Lac du Der, Lac de Chantecoq, Amance, and Foret d’Orient, famous for their populations of migrating Cranes and as a winter home for White-tailed Eagles. At any time expect water associated species like Purple Heron and summer warblers such as Great Reed Warbler – Black Kites can turn up anywhere.
Parc naturel régional de la Forêt d’Orient – ©October Ends CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
In the highland areas of Hautes-Vosges, depending on the time of year, look for Ring Ousel, Rock Bunting, Black and Middle-spotted Woodpecker and Nutcrackers. Keep your eyes peeled for raptors likje Honey Buzzards and Short-toed Eagles.
Lac de Schiessroth – ©Neptuna CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Then there is the bocage country to the North and East of the region, with small fields, mature hedges, and some very low intensive farming in little pockets, as well as the Meuse and Sedan valleys and forests. Alsace is renowned for its White Storks. The whole region always repays a close look wherever the travelling naturalist stops. Black Redstart are often found close to rural buildings, Hoopoes can be anywhere on farmland and vineyards and Melodious Warblers enliven any summer woodland.
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Chooz & Montherme
Satellite ViewThere is an excellent reserve in a bend in the Meuse River south of Givet [where there is a nuclear power station] which is good for Ospreys, Black-necked Grebe etc. The wooded hills West of there are good for Black Woodpecker, among other things. Nearby, there is a fascinating botanical reserve comprising a raised acid bog high in the hills above Montherme. -
Forêt du Der
Satellite ViewThe Forest du Der near Allichamps has Black and Middle-spotted Woodpecker, as also does the woodland North of the lovely village of Trois Fontaines, North of St Dizier. -
La Horre lake
Satellite ViewLa Horre lake is near to (West) the Lac du Der and has breeding Purple Heron and Spotted Crake. The woods North of the Forest Orient lake around the Maison de Foret has flocks of tens of Hawfinch and wintering Firecrest, too. -
Lac de la Forêt D'Orient and Lac du Der-Chantecoq
Satellite ViewThe lakes in Champagne are Well known for cranes on migration and over-wintering, local speciality also include WT Eagle, RL Buzzard and Bean Goose.Also has some very good woodlands in the area. -
Maubeuge area
Satellite ViewTo the South of the town of Maubeuge in the west is some very very good birding in the woods, streams and hedges which saw such fierce fighting towards the end of the second world war. It also contains remnants of the Maginot Line. The small villages of Wallers-Trelon, Solre le Chateau, and the Val Joly lake near Willies will all repay a quiet ramble along the lanes or into the woods with a satisfying list of birds such as Red-backed Shrike, Honey Buzzard, Wood Warbler, Black and Red Kite, Corncrake and breeding Fieldfare, and maybe even Bonelli's Eagle. -
Presque'Ile de Champaubert Park
Satellite ViewAt Lac du Der/Chantecoq, the park around the old Church at Presque'Ile de Champaubert is a must see, for raptors and rarer waterfowl - including 150 Smew in winter.
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Number of bird species: 361
(As at May 2026)
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eBird
PDF ChecklistThis checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
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Lac de Madine
Observatory WebsiteSatellite ViewDiscover our bird observatory offering panoramic views over the water, as well as our two themed trails. Watch migratory birds, explore the history and evolution of the site through an immersive experience in the heart of nature.
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LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) - Champagne-Ardenne
WebsiteThe weight of our association will be all the greater as we will be numerous. In England, the equivalent of the LPO (RSPB) has more than 1,000,000 members. You can easily imagine the persuasive power of such a structure. By joining us, you will increase the effectiveness of our actions. -
LPO Grand Est
Facebook PageParmi ses différentes missions, la LPO Grand Est contribue et assure de nombreux suivis d'espèces en s'appuyant sur ses équipes salariées, ses associations et groupes locaux ou thématiques et ses membres bénévoles (environ 5000).
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BiR Lac du Der
WebpageSatellite ViewFollow regularly throughout the ornithological news of the Lac du Der. -
NP Lorraine Regional Natural Park
InformationSatellite ViewThe park covers a total area of 205,000 hectares (510,000 acres). -
RP Ballons des Vosges Nature Park
InformationSatellite ViewA wide range of habitats available in the park benefit a variety of wildlife such as boreal owl, lynx, peregrine falcon, western capercaillie, Dianthus superbus, cranberry and Drosera. -
RP Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park
InformationSatellite ViewIt is organized around the Montagne de Reims, a wooded range of hills covered by vineyards that produce the region's eponymous sparkling wine, Champagne. -
RP Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park
InformationSatellite ViewThe rich natural landscape has been added to the UNESCO list of international biosphere reserves. -
RP Orient Forest Regional Natural Park
InformationSatellite Viewt covers a total area of 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres)[1] The parkland encompasses the large Forest of Orient as well as three man-made lakes: Lac d'Orient, Lac du Temple, and Lac Amance.
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Grand Est Rare Bird Alert
SightingsThe report below shows observations of rare birds in Grand Est.
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Birds in Alsace
WebsiteList, illustrations etc