Beautiful day of meeting around the birds of Ariège at the Parc aux Bambous

The sun was out and so were the public for this beautiful day spent in the magnificent park. Around twenty people came very motivated to learn and discover everything we can do to benefit nature. Valerian Tabard, head of regional citizen mobilization programs at LPO Occitanie and responsible for community life, hosted this day on local biodiversity. The president of the LPO Occitanie Pierre Maigre was present to recall the objectives of the association: “The LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) is an association which aims to act for birds, wildlife, nature and humans, and fight against the decline of biodiversity, through knowledge, protection, education and citizen mobilization. » Since its creation in 1912, the association has become the largest naturalist association in France: “The association has 76,000 members, 8,000 volunteers and more than 700 employees. The LPO acts for birds but also for all biodiversity. »

The morning was dedicated to discovering the birds of the bamboo park. Through recognition games and listening to songs, those present were able to recognize around twenty familiar birds from the gardens. While discovering the Park and its vegetation, amateur naturalists were able to happily identify the red kite, the wagtail, woodpeckers, robins, greenfinches and chaffinches: “We identify the birds in most cases by ear rather than by vision,” explains Valérian. “The names in Occitan are often indications of the plumage or song of the bird. »

The afternoon was devoted to advice for promoting local biodiversity. Valérian showed the different nest boxes, feeders and also how to equip gutters or ponds and water troughs in order to avoid drowning. Advice also on planting trees that favor birds such as rowan which feeds up to 70 species, ivy, hawthorn, elderberry. “The LPO has 109 members in Ariège with a network of 15 LPO shelters. Anyone who would like to become a volunteer for the association can join and make themselves known to the network. »

The next LPO meeting will take place in February. Valérian: occitanie.lpo.fr