On Wednesday 20 March 2026, Tiphaine, a talented speaker from the LPO (Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux - League for the Protection of Birds) took us on a discovery of the biodiversity of the bocage on the grounds of Etrebières. The weather was perfect for a tour of the garden and a climb up the hill before returning to the stream that runs through the wet meadow.

We talked about the habitat that barns provide for certain birds, such as the barn owl nesting box in the Vendée barn.

We then took a tour of the permaculture vegetable garden, mulched entirely with hay to preserve soil moisture and prevent weeds. As we climbed the hill, we walked along the orchard, planted according to the contour lines (keyline design) and the harvesting season (one row for July, one for August, one for September and one for October).

We took a long break around the pond to observe dragonflies and their exuviae (empty shells after moulting) and laughing frogs.

On our way back down to the wet meadow to see the stream, we stopped at the small fountain to admire the salamander larvae. On a rock in the middle of the stream, we even found a proof (sic - i.e. a turd) of a European otter. You could still make out the shells of the crayfish it feeds on.

Throughout the visit, we identified the birds by their song. Chaffinch, turtle-dove, hoopoe, red-throat, music thrush. Our bocage is full of birds!

It was a wonderful afternoon of sharing and learning. Thank you to the LPO volunteers who accompanied us.