Want to spend some time outdoors observing nature, fauna and flora? We tell you about our discovery of the Montaris marsh, between Salles-Courbatiès and Villeneuve d'Aveyron!
Rémi Garrigou welcomes us from Salles-Courbatiès, a small village in Aveyron, 20 minutes from Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Rémi is a river technician for the Syndicate of the Célé basin – Middle lot and works on watercourse management. For 15 years, he has been involved in the management, maintenance and analysis of streams and rivers, including that of the Diège, which has its source here in the heart of the Montaris marsh... Needless to say, he knows some a section on the places we are going to explore!
The Montaris marsh, a beneficial wetland!
Without revealing everything about the visit, we first learn that the Montaris marsh is a rare example of limestone marsh In the region. Like an oasis in a desert, this wetland is full of assets: water storage, limitation of floods or droughts, natural filter... Its role is major!
The Montaris marsh, like an oasis in a desert..."
Observation of fauna and flora
Throughout the walk, Rémi talks to us about plant species of the marsh. Today, willows and reeds mainly occupy this environment, but this was not always the case!
In the past, large poplar trees were grown here for timber production. This was without taking into account the staggering consumption of these specimens: up to 500l of water per day! Due to human intervention, they finally gave way to more adapted vegetation which promotes hydraulic management, water quality and very high biodiversity!
And what joy to observe this biodiversity today, to the rhythm of birdsong !
Rémi knows them well from traveling through the marsh. At his side, we discover in preview that the European oriole is back after a few months spent on the African continent. This beautiful bird with yellow plumage is less discreet than the great bittern which, once erected like an “i” on its stilts, manages to blend in with the reeds. You may not see all these species flying, but listen closely to the song of the nightingale, the chiffchaff, the red-legged partridge or the moorhen!
We also observe flowers and plants which punctuate the green landscape with touches of yellow and mauve. The great fluke buttercup, a protected species which thrives in the open area of the marsh or the male orchis also called grass snake...
Built heritage serving nature
Speaking of snakes… They also appreciate this environment! We discover that the pretty caselles and dovecotes, vestiges of the rich agricultural past of causes, today welcome hedgehogs and small reptiles. Asp viper, Gironde coronella, although frightening for some, they also have their role to play.
Built heritage and natural heritage coexist during this discovery walk of the Montaris marshes which has even more surprises in store for you!
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