© Réserve Ornithologique du Teich
© Réserve Ornithologique du Teich
Teich Bird Reserve & Nature Park, Le Teich
Protected nature reserve, perfect for bird watching
Teich Bird Reserve is 110 hectares of wooded area, reed beds, meadow, saltmarsh and water that has been made into a protected nature reserve, and managed with a view to attracting wild birds so that they can be seen at closer quarters by the public.
Stretching out between the mainland sector right up to the coastline of the Arcachon Basin, this area offers a wide variety of natural habitats that are suitable for many different bird species, which will either make these areas their permanent home or alternatively, a temporary resting place. The birds found here are entirely wild and behave in exactly the same way that they would outside of the reserve’s boundaries. They are not given additional food or kept in a semi-captive state.
The reserve is visited on foot along a 6 km-long circular path. The path goes through or runs alongside the full range of different natural habitats found in the Teich Bird Reserve, enabling you to build up a good overall picture of the site and its surrounding areas.
The role played by the reserve in the conservation of some rarer species is recognized as being of international significance.
Worth knowing
318 species and sub-species have been seen here since 1972, with 88 species having bred on the reserve at one time or another.
Who should go
The path is flat and level and suitable for most types of footwear, including formal or dress shoes.You should allow at least 3 to 4 hours to complete the circuit (including time spent bird-watching). Visitors with reduced mobility or visitors with young children can take a shorter route (approx 2.5 km). For people with reduced mobility, there is a tailor-made itinerary which avoids steep gradients and any viewing points that are only accessible by stairs.
Visitor comments
- "Superb 6 km long foot trail in the delta of the Eyre river on the Basin d'Arcachon. 20 hides make it possible to spot hundreds of birds/species. Go at high tide: more birds are then in the reserve (at low tide, the move more towards the Bassin d'Arcachon itself). Very low entry price, possibility to rent binoculars; good restaurant with honest food (daily fresh)." - Trip Advisor
- "If you like bird-watching then you could spend all day here. I recommend looking at their website which has information in both French and English and a calendar showing the best times of day to go." - Trip Advisor
- "Great experience even for non-bird watchers or non-photographers. Long footpaths, varied habitats & plenty of hides. Seeing a dozen or so Storks nesting in the treetops was particularly impressive. The differing seasons do have an effect on what you will see though as does the time of day. Very easy to spend a full day walking around." - Trip Advisor
