Birdwatching in the Baie de Somme
Spot herons, storks and nests with a friend in a French bird reserve, and talk about what you see.
The Baie de Somme and its Parc du Marquenterre reserve are among France's best places to watch migrating birds, especially in spring and autumn, with wooden observatoires (hides) along the paths. The LPO, France's bird protection league, runs guided outings all over the country, often free or cheap. Bring jumelles (binoculars), speak quietly, and use tu with friends; a guide addresses the group as vous.
- 1
T'as pris les jumelles ?
Did you bring the binoculars?
- 2
Il faut parler tout bas.
We have to talk very quietly.
- 3
Regarde, là-haut !
Look, up there!
- 4
C'est quoi, cet oiseau ?
What bird is that?
- 5
C'est un héron.
It's a heron.
- 6
Je le vois pas.
I can't see it.
- 7
Il est sur la branche de gauche.
It's on the left-hand branch.
- 8
Il s'est envolé.
It's flown off.
- 9
Écoute-le chanter.
Listen to it singing.
- 10
Il y a un nid dans les roseaux.
There's a nest in the reeds.
- 11
Je peux regarder dans ta longue-vue ?
Can I look through your telescope?
- 12
Les cigognes reviennent chaque printemps.
The storks come back every spring.
- 13
Elles migrent vers l'Afrique en hiver.
They migrate to Africa in winter.
- 14
On va dans l'observatoire.
Let's go into the hide.
- 15
T'as vu combien d'espèces ?
How many species have you seen?
- 16
Je le note dans mon carnet.
I'm writing it down in my notebook.
- 17
T'approche pas trop, tu vas lui faire peur.
Don't get too close, you'll frighten it.
- 18
Quelle belle couleur !
What a beautiful colour!
- 19
J'ai pris une super photo !
I've taken a brilliant photo!
- 20
On revient à l'aube ?
Shall we come back at dawn?