Wildlife of Vercors : the wild animals of Vercors Regional Nature Park
The Vercors Regional Nature Park is one of the 58 regional nature parks in France. Created in 1970, the park covers 206,000 hectares and straddles the departments of Isère and Drôme in south-eastern France. It is a beautiful park, with breathtaking reliefs.
Mont Aiguille in particular, with its absolutely sublime characteristic silhouette, is one of the symbols of the park. The highest point of the Massif du Vercors is the Grand Veymont, with an altitude of 2341 meters.
The wild fauna of the Vercors
Thanks in particular to different levels of protection established to protect flora and fauna (designation of regional natural park, but also nature reserve, or even integral biological reserve for certain areas), wild animals have been able to keep a place in the Vercors Massif. Each hike in the Vercors can be an opportunity to make one or more memorable encounters.
Mammals of Vercors
Regarding mammals, the emblem of Vercors is without a doubt the Alpine Ibex.
Having been the subject of several reintroductions, today there is a good population within the walls of the massif. There, it is possible to observe a herd of more than 50 male ibex, which nationally has become rare.
The Alpine Ibex is a majestic and not very shy animal. So your presence will not be a problem for them as long as you show respect, calm, and keep a certain distance. The summits of the Vercors mountains are their territory.
In all, more than 70 species of mammals have been identified within the regional natural park, including the Red Deer, Chamois, Gray Wolf, Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Marmot, and even more. The Vercors is also a massif which shelters the 6 species of large wild ungulates of France.
It is possible to observe mammals at all altitudes of the park, whether it is the European Beaver at the bottom of the valley, along the Drôme and its tributaries, or the Alpine Ibex at the top of the peaks. Take your time, walk slowly, listen and observe.
Birds of the Vercors
Bird lovers and seasoned ornithologists are not left out in the Vercors Regional Nature Park. Around 150 species of birds can be observed throughout the year. Some flagship species are the Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Tengmalm's Owl, Eurasian Pygmy-Owl, or even the Bearded Vulture which has been reintroduced.
In the forest environments are present among others the Black Woodpecker, the Tawny Owl, the Red Crossbill, etc ... while in the cliffs you can find the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, the Peregrine Falcon, etc ...
Here too, the important thing is to awaken all your senses to be able to make great encounters. A good pair of binoculars will also be very useful for observing the birds of the Vercors.
Thus, making a tour in the Vercors is the guarantee of living an extraordinary experience in the heart of nature. Depending on the season, the sites are more or less frequented. If you are looking for peace and solitude, we will be happy to guide you through autumn or even winter. And if you fancy hiking in a t-shirt in the sun, then a summer tour will be perfectly suited and we can take you to quieter areas of the park.
Have a look to the calendar of our ethical excursions and tours to find our wildlife tours in the Vercors and throughout France.
