Fauna and flora
The wealth of an ecosystem
Wildlife and floral wealth are impressive in this mosaic of valleys, rocky slopes, hardwood forests and cultivated plateaux. Many species are rare and protected, so respect nature and do not disturb the species that live there.
The Cirque du Bout du Monde is a Natura 2000 protected site. Located between the towns of Cormot-Vauchignon and Change, this site consists of a set of steep cliffs of about 530 metres above sea level overlooking a green valley – the Vallon de la Tournée, where water flows from the cultivated plateau and cascades down to the bottom of remote underground cavities many providing a living environment for troglodyte species and roosting for bats. Oaks and horns inhabit the forest. Inaccessible cliffs shelter the nesting places of various species of birds. A prefectural decree for the protection of the biotope (APPB) limits frequentation at nesting time (from 15 February to 15 June). Picnic area.
The Montagne des Trois Croix or Mont de Sène (521 m ) is classified as a “natural park” and a preserved natural area. Limestone lawns are home to many species of orchids. From this mountain, often in the morning and in clear weather, you can see Mont Blanc, and the sunsets are superb. A good place to picnic, provided you leave no trace.
Wildlife: Watch them!
- Black-veined white butterfly, marbled white, dark green fritillary, scare swallowtail
- Salamander and white-clawed crayfish
- Deer and hinds, foxes and wild boar
- 15 bat species of which 8 are of European interest
Many birds : - Eurasian eagle-owl
- Alpine swift
- Wallcreeper
- Western jackdaw
- Peregrine falcon
- Green woodpeckers and great spotted woodpeckers
- Eurasian blackcap
- Great, blue and long-tailed tits
- Eurasian nuthatch
- Short-toed treecreeper
- Short-toed snake eagle
- Woodlark
- Cuckoo
- Tawny owl
- Mistle thrush and song thrush…
Flora to enjoy!
- Pasqueflower
- sweet William
- Yellow stonercrop
- Oak, hornbeams, maples, limes
Numerous orchids:
- Lizard orchid
- Burnt-tip orchid
- Man orchid
- Lady orchid
- Military orchid
- Bird’s nest orchid
Photos : Demi-deuil-©Guillaume DOUCET – CENB ; Gazès-La Rochepot-©Olivier GIRARD-CENB ; Petit Rhinolophe-©Samuel GONEZ-CENB ; Salamandre tachetée-©Régis DESBROSSES ; Anémone pulsatille-©Benoît FRISTSCH-CENB ; Anémone pulsatille-©Cédric FOUTEL-CENB ; Ophrys mouche-©Olivier GIRARD-CENB ; Orchis militaire-Rochepot-©Oliver GIRARD-CENB ; Orchis pyramidal-©Olivier GIRARD-CENB.