It is on the Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) of the Gôle pond, in Montcarra, that our nature guide for the day, Joanny…
On the program: observation of the species present on the site, explanations of the history of the place and the actions taken to protect it... Let's go for a 1,8km tour around the pond!
Meet with a view!
Arrived at the meeting place, in the parking lot of the church of Montcarra, we take a few minutes to observe the panorama. In addition to the beauty of the view, this moment allows us to understand the landscape in front of us. We learn in fact, with the help of a fun game based on shapes and colors, that it can be quite simple to know from a distance the species of trees present or to become aware of the multitude of colors that 'we wouldn't see at a glance… We just have to take the time to look at what is in front of us.
On the way to the pond...
It is by a path between the houses and the fields that we have direct access to the pond. But before, first stop at the sight of a colony of birds whirling in the sky above the church… Swallows, that's for sure! Missed, we are surprised to learn that they are in fact swifts. With a more elongated body, thinner and longer wings and a V-shaped tail, they are often confused. Nothing better than a comparative drawing to clarify all this and make no mistake!
As we approach the pond, we have already been able to observe many species of local fauna...
Among the 300 species listed, you may also have the chance to observe European pond turtles, spotted salamanders, yellow-bellied toads, kingfishers, Hobby falcons, green woodpeckers...
Head for the undergrowth and the wash house… in the shade!
In search of freshness during the summer: we do not stop repeating it, it is on the Sensitive Natural Spaces you have to go! As soon as we entered the undergrowth, we took advantage of the humid atmosphere to observe traces of the passage of our friends the badgers… And you, would you know how to recognize them?!
It is after a few minutes of walking that the path leads to the old adobe washhouse, used until the 1970s. We immediately notice the presence of many blue dragonflies and other brown ones which fly and savor the presence of the river. … Splash! But what is this noise? There is a little rascal there who hastened to hide in the water, under the leaves: a green frog!
Time to take a few photos, and we leave immediately so as not to disturb the occupants of the place any further…
Break at the educational pond
On our way, we discover, hidden among the trees, an educational pond and its wooden pontoon. This pond was created to bring biodiversity to the site and allow the observation of species (provided you approach in silence and wait a few minutes…). The amphibians live there like kings (thought for this red frog who was in the middle of a tanning session and who did not move a leg!).
This is when our nature guide draws his tools: a sieve and an aquarium! And hop, with a sieve in the water, the little creatures appear and are plunged into the mini aquarium to let themselves be observed...
Return to the starting point (well accompanied)
The tour of the pond is over, it's already time to go home... We don't know if the swan family felt our sadness or if it was pure chance, but we were lucky enough to be accompanied by Mom, Dad and their 5 little ones. And little icing on the cake, we were treated to the flight of the purple heron above the pond! Heron more difficult to observe than its cousin the gray heron… Enough to give us a smile and the desire to come back!
the balance sheet
This privileged discovery with our “darling” guide, Joanny, is one of the few advantages that we enjoy as a member of the team of the Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office! It is for us the opportunity to discover the sites of the territory, to see them evolve and to inform you as well as possible...
To give you an idea, each outing provides the same effects as a two-hour body massage, a 30-minute nap or even a “disconnected” weekend… Suffice to say that we won't give up!
Here are the options available to you: take part in an ENS activity with a nature guide or choose to discover the site independently with the discovery booklet to download just below.
Have you chosen option 1: take part in an ENS outing?
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