Le Marais aux Oiseaux
LoisirsMarais aux Oiseaux is a Charente-Maritime department property located in the heart of the Ile d'Oléron, within some 130 ha of deciduous woods and former salt marshes pre-empted as sensitive natural areas.
€4.00
€3.00
€3.00
Free with the Pass!
Contact
Les Grissotières
17550 Dolus-d'Oléron
05 46 75 37 54
maraisauxoiseaux@charente-maritime.fr
https://www.marais-aux-oiseaux.fr
Covering an area of almost 10 hectares, this property houses two distinct structures: the educational discovery site and the departmental wildlife rescue center.
Le Marais aux Oiseaux plays an active role in protecting and understanding nature in a variety of ways: raising awareness among the general public, environmental education for schoolchildren, inventories, etc.
Le Marais aux Oiseaux is one of the 14 Maisons de Site in the Échappées Nature network in the Charente-Maritime department, and is also a member of the Explore Oléron network created by the Ile d'Oléron community of communes.
The discovery site :
Opened in 1983, the discovery site welcomes some 35,000 visitors a year.
Stroll through woods (oak grove) and marshes along the 1.5km path.
The trail is dotted with information points on the life and habits of the main species encountered. There are also chalets housing exhibitions (on nesting boxes, for example).
The trail lends itself to observation of some of the 130 species of vertebrates found on and around the site. Highlights include a heronry with several dozen pairs of Grey Herons, Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets, and the first nesting of Eurasian Spoonbills on the Ile d'Oléron (in 2021). It has been reoccupied every year for over 40 years. Since 2009, at least 2 pairs of White Storks have been breeding here.
In addition to these species, with a little attention, you'll be able to see or hear such emblematic species as the European Kingfisher, the European Oriole and the Hoopoe.
A 9 m high observatory offers a panoramic view of the site. A binocular telescope (20 x 80) allows you to observe the herons, birds of prey, gulls and other small waders that frequent the site.
These animals are here for a variety of reasons:
- Many are natural breeders. They are attracted by fellow creatures and the presence of fresh water. Their young often tend to return.
- Found in poor condition in the wild, some are unable to survive on their own. Despite the care they receive at the rescue center, they sometimes need to be protected from predators in aviaries.
- Lastly, some were kept by private individuals who got rid of them, or come from seizures ordered by the courts (mistreatment or illegal detention).
Presentation of the rescue center
The Marais aux Oiseaux rescue center was created in 1982, on the initiative of Alain Formon. It is affiliated to the Union française des centers de sauvegarde de la faune sauvage (UFCS), which groups together some thirty centers. These centers are dedicated to the selfless care of wild animals in distress, with the aim of releasing them. The center is closed to the public so as not to disturb the convalescence of the animals under care, and to avoid making them too familiar.
Rescue centers work in close collaboration with veterinarians, who are the only ones authorized to perform surgery and prescribe medication.
The Marais aux Oiseaux rescue center meets the very latest administrative, health and environmental standards. Major renovation work on the premises (120 m²) was carried out in 2011-2012, while all the aviaries were completely restructured in 2018.
A specific building houses the infirmary and a quarantine room (animals in first aid). Another building is dedicated to food storage and preparation.
In 2023, the Centre de sauvegarde départemental de la faune sauvage welcomed 2,294 animals (compared with 2,127 in 2022).
Animals in distress are cared for all year round. Species cared for: French avifauna and small mammals (red squirrels and European hedgehogs).
Events for the general public
In 2024, some twenty different events on themes as varied as Le coucher des aigrettes, Des œufs comme s'il en pleuvait, Le petit monde de la nuit, Chauve-souris, qui es-tu?The return of the migratory birds, are offered to individuals at pre-arranged times on site. During the summer, in addition to the events featured in our brochure, mobile information points are set up. These are designed to help visitors during their visit, to make them aware of the need to preserve and respect the natural environment, but also to inform them about one or other aspect of the biology of the species living on the site or only passing through.
We are also pleased to welcome outside contributors who offer discovery workshops in painting, drawing, photography and sculpture.
A number of one-off events are also scheduled outside the Marais aux Oiseaux in sensitive natural areas such as the Marais de la Perroche (Découverte du Marais de la Perroche), the Bois d'Anga (Ô Bois d'Anga) and the Prise de la Morinière (Les secrets d'un marais). These nature outings are run in conjunction with the CPIE Marennes-Oléron.
In addition, special events and workshops are organized for schoolchildren, such as La visite des tout-petits: spécial maternelles, L'ornithologue d'une and Le P'tit secouriste.
Opening period
From 16/02 to 10/03/2024, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
From 11/03 to 05/04/2024, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
From 06/04 to 30/06/2024, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10 am and 6 pm.
From 01/07 to 31/08/2024 between 10 am and 6.30 pm.
From 01/09 to 30/09/2024, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10 am and 6 pm.
From 01/10 to 18/10/2024, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
From 19/10 to 03/11/2024 between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Closed on Saturday.
Marais aux oiseaux
Marais aux Oiseaux is a Charente-Maritime department property located in the heart of the Ile d'Oléron, within some 130 ha of deciduous woods and former salt marshes pre-empted as sensitive natural areas.
Covering an area of almost 10 hectares, this property houses two distinct structures: the educational discovery site and the departmental wildlife rescue center.
Le Marais aux Oiseaux plays an active role in protecting and understanding nature in a variety of ways: raising awareness among the general public, environmental education for schoolchildren, inventories, etc.
Le Marais aux Oiseaux is one of the 14 Maisons de Site in the Échappées Nature network in the Charente-Maritime department, and is also a member of the Explore Oléron network created by the Ile d'Oléron community of communes.
The discovery site :
Opened in 1983, the discovery site welcomes some 35,000 visitors a year.
Stroll through woods (oak grove) and marshes along the 1.5km path.
The trail is dotted with information points on the life and habits of the main species encountered. There are also chalets housing exhibitions (on nesting boxes, for example).
The trail lends itself to observation of some of the 130 species of vertebrates found on and around the site. Highlights include a heronry with several dozen pairs of Grey Herons, Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets, and the first nesting of Eurasian Spoonbills on the Ile d'Oléron (in 2021). It has been reoccupied every year for over 40 years. Since 2009, at least 2 pairs of White Storks have been breeding here.
In addition to these species, with a little attention, you'll be able to see or hear such emblematic species as the European Kingfisher, the European Oriole and the Hoopoe.
A 9 m high observatory offers a panoramic view of the site. A binocular telescope (20 x 80) allows you to observe the herons, birds of prey, gulls and other small waders that frequent the site.
These animals are here for a variety of reasons:
- Many are natural breeders. They are attracted by fellow creatures and the presence of fresh water. Their young often tend to return.
- Found in poor condition in the wild, some are unable to survive on their own. Despite the care they receive at the rescue center, they sometimes need to be protected from predators in aviaries.
- Lastly, some were kept by private individuals who got rid of them, or come from seizures ordered by the courts (mistreatment or illegal detention).
Presentation of the rescue center
The Marais aux Oiseaux rescue center was created in 1982, on the initiative of Alain Formon. It is affiliated to the Union française des centers de sauvegarde de la faune sauvage (UFCS), which groups together some thirty centers. These centers are dedicated to the selfless care of wild animals in distress, with the aim of releasing them. The center is closed to the public so as not to disturb the convalescence of the animals under care, and to avoid making them too familiar.
Rescue centers work in close collaboration with veterinarians, who are the only ones authorized to perform surgery and prescribe medication.
The Marais aux Oiseaux rescue center meets the very latest administrative, health and environmental standards. Major renovation work on the premises (120 m²) was carried out in 2011-2012, while all the aviaries were completely restructured in 2018.
A specific building houses the infirmary and a quarantine room (animals in first aid). Another building is dedicated to food storage and preparation.
In 2023, the Centre de sauvegarde départemental de la faune sauvage welcomed 2,294 animals (compared with 2,127 in 2022).
Animals in distress are cared for all year round. Species cared for: French avifauna and small mammals (red squirrels and European hedgehogs).
Events for the general public
In 2024, some twenty different events on themes as varied as Le coucher des aigrettes, Des œufs comme s'il en pleuvait, Le petit monde de la nuit, Chauve-souris, qui es-tu?The return of the migratory birds, are offered to individuals at pre-arranged times on site. During the summer, in addition to the events featured in our brochure, mobile information points are set up. These are designed to help visitors during their visit, to make them aware of the need to preserve and respect the natural environment, but also to inform them about one or other aspect of the biology of the species living on the site or only passing through.
We are also pleased to welcome outside contributors who offer discovery workshops in painting, drawing, photography and sculpture.
A number of one-off events are also scheduled outside the Marais aux Oiseaux in sensitive natural areas such as the Marais de la Perroche (Découverte du Marais de la Perroche), the Bois d'Anga (Ô Bois d'Anga) and the Prise de la Morinière (Les secrets d'un marais). These nature outings are run in conjunction with the CPIE Marennes-Oléron.
In addition, special events and workshops are organized for schoolchildren, such as La visite des tout-petits: spécial maternelles, L'ornithologue d'une and Le P'tit secouriste.
Opening period
From 16/02 to 10/03/2024, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
From 11/03 to 05/04/2024, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
From 06/04 to 30/06/2024, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10 am and 6 pm.
From 01/07 to 31/08/2024 between 10 am and 6.30 pm.
From 01/09 to 30/09/2024, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10 am and 6 pm.
From 01/10 to 18/10/2024, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
From 19/10 to 03/11/2024 between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Closed on Saturday.