“There is no silence here. » It is a joyful colony which has taken over Ile Nouvelle since its “renaturation” by the Department. Visit New Island, it's about obeying natural rules and it's amazing how much good that can do!
The visit begins with the crossing of the Gironde by boat from Blaye: barely five minutes of navigation, time to get into the situation. Playing Robinson Crusoe, here we are stranded on a tiny strip of land: 6 kilometers long and 700 meters wide. The entire northern part is closed to the public because it is reserved for the surprising inhabitants whose songs can already be heard. This site classified as a “sensitive natural area” (ENS) can be explored alone or accompanied. Alongside a naturalist guide from the Department, you will go from one surprise to the next.
The imprint of man: wine
Like all the islands of the estuary, Ile Nouvelle was born from a mudflat: a pile of mud, on which vegetation ended up settling. It appeared on maps in 1825. It takes an effort to imagine everything that has been here, but the reconstruction of the village at the entrance to the island helps. L'new island prospered thanks to wine growing, on soil known to be fertile. As proof, the immense cellar which sits in the heart of the small town.
“The islets – as the inhabitants of the islands were called – said: we plant a stick and we collect fruit,” says Anne-Lise, our guide. When the Phylloxera disease, the aphid that attacks vines, appeared, the islanders' flair made them strong. “By immersing the vines for 40 days, they got rid of it. » But in the 50s, all this activity gradually disappeared, as the population returned to the continent.
In 1991, Ile Nouvelle became the property of the Gironde department, which intended to preserve this haven of peace. After a first historical part, followed by an out-of-the-box picnic, the visit turns into an ornithological discovery. Open your eyes and ears wide! It is no coincidence that the dining tables are set up on the edge of the forest, near the “colony”, as they say. A picnic against the backdrop of a symphony concert…
bird paradise
The Gironde estuary is one of the major routes for bird migration to Africa. Thanks to the work of the coastal conservatory, 187 species were recorded in 2015 compared to barely 108 in 2006.
Let's go for two hours of rare bird watching. No need to walk far to attend a ball like no other. Quickly, grab the binoculars and adjust the spotting scope! This beautiful white bird spreading its wings, is it an egret or a spoonbill? “If its neck is tucked in, it’s an egret. The spoonbill, which has a truly spatula-shaped bill, flies with its neck outstretched. » A cry alerts us: “It’s a stilt protecting its chicks. » Magnificent black and white creature with very long legs, hence its name.
Time is suspended. With my fellow adventurers, we get involved in the game, on the lookout for the slightest movement. Knights, gray wagtails, kites, gray and purple herons, of incredible beauty, follow one another before our eyes. The show is grandiose and yet totally improvised.
Outings on New Island
| Dates | Duration: | Presence of an ornithological guide | Picnic to plan |
| Tuesday 23 July | 9h45-14h45 | Yes | Yes |
| Tuesday 30 July | 9h45-14h45 | Yes | Yes |
| Tuesday 6 August | 9h45-14h45 | Yes | Yes |
| Tuesday 13 August | 9h45-14h45 | Yes | Yes |
Nature activities and other cruises
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