White Cheix Peak Trail, Discovering the County's Wildlife

Depart from the town of Sallèdes, latitude 45.6373300 (N 45° 38’ 14”), longitude 3.3056000 (E 3° 18’ 20”)

• Departure from the House of Natural Spaces
• Birds

• The Shire Forest is home to a relatively rich forest avifauna, more than 100 species of birds have been recorded.
• Birds are not so easy to observe in the forest, but their songs especially in the spring can identify them. Listen out!

• The Shire Mammals

• Many species of mammals inhabit the forest. Often discreet, it takes a little luck to observe them at the turn of a path. On the other hand, the numerous traces and clues left behind their passage reveal their presence on the territory. About 40 species (carnivores, chiropractors, insectivores and ungulates) are known in the Shire ENS.

• The inhabitants of the Mare

• Since 2004, several ponds have been created within the Shire Forest Sensitive Natural Area to promote wetlands and their biodiversity.
• La mare is an original ecosystem, whose functioning is intimately linked to the surrounding environment. Very variable, it can be permanent or temporary, sunny or shady, or undergo large temperature variations. This complexity is the secret of its biodiversity
• Many animals use the pond as a water reserve (mammals, birds) or breeding sites, with the presence of amphibians (frogs, toads, newts) or many insects in the spring.
• Take the time to observe the life of the pond, if you continue on the path to your left (25 meters), you will find another pond much larger than the one in front of you. Good observations!

• Soil wildlife

• Surt fauna has significant assets, easy to observe, catch, amazing in appearance, it allows to interest the smallest and the largest in the animal world and to introduce notions of biology.
• Soil fauna is currently estimated to account for more than 80% of animal biodiversity.
• Take the time to observe under the leaves, under a trunk, near a stump, you will certainly find some small animals.
• If you want to catch them, you need a small box, and be sure to handle the animals carefully. A little beast is very fragile. Once observed, (counting the number of legs, the different parts of the body,...) release quickly to the place where you found them while respecting their habitat.