Wildlife: a natural space for animals

The Brive-La-Gaillarde basin, in south-west France, encompasses a diversity of remarkable ecosystems, from the Yssandonnais to the Vézère gorges, via the Causse Corrézien. This variety of natural habitats is home to a rich and diverse fauna. Here's an overview of the animal species that can be found in these unspoiltnatural areas of the Corrèze.

Mammals

Mammals commonly found in the countryside include :

Bats: various species of bat inhabit wooded areas and caves, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem as pollinators and insect regulators. The Gouffre de La Fage is even part of a Natura 2000 site that protects the bat population. You may well come across these small mammals during a visit to the Gouffre, which is open from April to November.

Bats living in the Gouffre de La Fage, one of the nature reserves near Brive-La-Gaillarde in Corrèze.

Wild boar: common in forests and occasionally seen near cultivated areas, wild boar are common in the region.
Roe deer: agile and discreet, roe deer are often seen at dawn or dusk in wooded areas and clearings. If you are surprised by barking while walking in the forest, it may not be a dog, but a roe deer, which is very present in our undergrowth.
The red fox: an opportunist, the fox is accustomed to the varied landscapes of the basin, from forests to open fields.
The wild rabbit: difficult to observe during the day as it is generally sheltered in its burrow. They are most active at dusk. This is when they feed and join their fellow rabbits.
Badgers: These are widespread in Corrèze. It lives mainly at night.

Birds

Birds of prey

The birds of prey that can be seen in the Brive-La-Gaillarde basin are numerous and easy to observe. They have the particularity of "gobbling" their prey whole and then spitting out the non-digestible parts. Nocturnal birds of prey, for example, often regurgitate the hair and bones, while buzzards digest the bones and only regurgitate the hair. These food remains are known as pellets.

The red kite: This bird of prey, often seen during migration, frequents the skies over the basin, especially near waterways and open areas. Easily identified by its V-shaped tail.
Long-eared owl: This rarer owl can be seen in rocky areas and forests, where it hunts at night.
The common buzzard: the buzzard emits a plaintive cry both in flight and on the ground. Its vision is the sharpest of all birds of prey. It is thought that the common buzzard can see six times better than we can! It flies in circles above its prey before swooping down and seizing it with its talons.
Kestrel: one of the most common birds of prey in France. It is a diurnal bird, 31 to 38 cm long. This is the bird that can be seen hovering.

Silhouettes of birds of prey seen in the Corrèze countryside

Other birds

Birds of prey are very common in the Corrèze countryside, but they are far from the only species. Even in gardens, you will be lucky enough to be able to observe various birds such as :

The green woodpecker: the green woodpecker is a colourful bird, with a yellow rump, greenish-grey belly, yellow-green upper surface and red head. It sometimes communicates by beating dead branches with its beak. But this is mainly to find food in dry wood, the sound of which it gauges. It is a very distinctive sound that allows us to guess its presence.
The spotted woodpecker: The spotted woodpecker is one of the most common woodpeckers to be seen in our forests and parks. Not very shy, it tends to be sedentary and feeds on insects and seeds. In spring, it digs into the trunks of trees to build its future family refuge. The sound of its pecks on the tree trunks can be heard far and wide, and also serves to mark its territory and attract nearby females.
The Oak Jay: its pretty pinkish-beige plumage is enhanced by blue mirrors on its wings. It wears a toupee on its head, which it ruffles when it is upset. The jay imitates other birds, and even humans, to perfection. It is an omnivore, feeding on insects and small vertebrates in spring, becoming a frugivore in summer. But our bird is particularly fond of acorns and beechnuts, and spends most of its time collecting them to bury for the winter.
The cute wren: its round body is covered in brownish, slightly barred plumage. It also has a thin, very pointed dark brown beak and pink-brown legs. This little bird has a small tail, which is almost always erect. It is one of the smallest birds in Europe.
Sandhill cranes: in early spring and late autumn (depending on the weather), the Brive basin is in the path of these migratory birds. The viewpoints at Ayen and Yssandon provide excellent vantage points for observing them in flight.
We can also observe a large number of common species, such as the redstart, blue tit, great tit, house sparrow, European greenfinch, tree chaffinch, goldfinch, black redstart, grey wagtail, black-headed warbler, swallows, black swift, blackbird, thrush, starling, great tit, green woodpecker, magpie, jackdaw, crow, collared dove, wood pigeon, grey heron...
Whether they are passing through or living permanently, these bird species are counted annually to monitor their numbers. Associations such as the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux take action to protect them.

Reptiles and amphibians

The green and yellow snake: Common in wetlands and hedgerows, this snake is often seen sunbathing.
Wall lizard: Small and agile, this lizard prefers sunny areas with stone structures.
The spotted salamander: A symbol of wet, unspoilt forests, the salamander is a nocturnal amphibian with a distinctive pattern.

Insects and invertebrates

Butterflies: The Brive-La-Gaillarde basin, with its floral diversity, attracts many species of butterfly, particularly in the grassland areas and forest edges.
Dragonflies: Watercourses and wetlands are ideal habitats for various species of dragonfly, which play a key role in insect predation.

Protected species and conservation issues

Several of these species are protected and are the subject of specific conservation measures, particularly in Natura 2000 areas and nature reserves. Preserving natural habitats, restoring wetlands and combating pollution are crucial to maintaining biodiversity in the Brive-La-Gaillarde basin.

The region's wildlife is testimony to the richness of France's natural habitats and highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.

How do you spot wildlife?

Animals are very shy. When humans arrive, they sense them from a distance and hide. If it's difficult to see the animals, we can look for signs of their presence in the natural environment: paw prints, food scraps, droppings, burrows, shelters, various marks on trees (scratches, rubbing bark off, etc.), feathers, nests, eggs, moults, etc.

You can also opt for outings supervised by the LPO Limousin (Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux - League for the Protection of Birds), which offers a calendar of outings in Corrèze.
The Jardin sauvage association, dedicated to the natural environment of southern Corrèze, also offers a wide range of outings to discover the flora and fauna. You can also take part in collective workcamps and preserve our privileged natural environment.
Arm yourself with a walking guide (on sale at the Tourist Office) and set off on an adventure to discover our beautiful countryside and its inhabitants.

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