Wildlife of the Pyrenees

• Wildlife photos

Geographical location

Pyrenean Biodiversity

The biodiversity of this area is exceptionally rich. Of the 167 species of French mammals 64 can be found here in the Pyrenees. Bring a good pair of binoculars and you can often spot the Pyrenean deer or “izards” grazing on the high pastures.

These lovely creatures are now thriving having once been threatened by extinction. Marmots are another success story and their increasing numbers have in turn helped the royal eagle population.

Bird Watching

With or without binoculars you can stand on the fronton of the Fountains Of Escot and marvel at the soaring griffon vultures. These magnificent birds of prey have a wing span of 2.70m and nest on our north cliff faces of the «Defile d’Escot». There are also some brown bears up high in the valley.

Wild Flowers

At almost any time of the year there is an abundance of wildflowers, many endemic only to the Pyrenees. Flowers include Pyrenean lilies, gentian, iris and the strangely beautiful edelweiss.

In mid July the north facing slops of our nearest hill is covered with a sea of white edelweiss interspersed with the equally blue thistle the “chardon bleu”.

Wild Funghi

Come here in September and October and you will be thrilled by the forest’s autumnal colour, radiant against the peaks which may just be covered by the first snowfalls. This is also the time when fungi such as boletus and chanterelle can be found and added to a tasty omelette.