A spectacular bird fauna
The National Park’s bird fauna is particularly abundant. 195 species have been counted, including 135 that breed here. 137 enjoy protection at the national level and 31 are listed in annex 1 of the European Birds Directive. This exceptional richness means that the Park’s central zone has been classified as a special protection area (SPA).
Birds of prey are particularly abundant, with over 20 species of diurnal and seven of nocturnal birds. Witness the short-toed eagle, over 100 pairs of which have been spotted on the Park’s territory – a situation that is probably unique in France.
The short-grass prairies of the Causse plateaux are one of the Park’s natural riches. They are home to a large number of exceptional birds, notably the stone curlew, calandra lark, tawny pipit, ortolan bunting, red-backed shrike, little owl, hen harrier and Montagu’s harrier, nightjar, hoopoe, rock thrush, etc.
These species are dependent on short-grass prairies. There are also other species that frequently come from the neighbouring gorges to feed on the Causse, such as the great rupestrine birds of prey – vultures, eagles, eagle owls, red-billed choughs and ravens.
Griffon, cinereous and Egyptian vultures
After an eclipse of some fifty years, these three species are once again roaming the skies above gorges and Causses.
Around 180 pairs of griffon vultures nest in the Tarn and Jonte gorges. Some twenty pairs of cinereous vulture (also known as black or monk vultures) have joined them, as well as three couples of Egyptian vultures. Over a hundred young griffon vultures, born free, take flight every year, as well as about 15 young cinereous vultures.
The Egyptian vultures returned naturally owing to the presence of the other vultures. Currently, their reproduction changes from year to year.
The reintroduction or reinforcement operations led by the National Park benefit from the active support of the livestock farmers of the Causse Méjean, for whom the vultures provide a welcome knackers’ yard.
The golden eagle
The majority of the golden eagles of the Massif Central are concentrated on the Causses and Cévennes. The National Park therefore shares the responsibility of managing this species.
In recent decades, numbers of golden eagles have dropped noticeably. There are several causes for this: direct destruction (shooting, electrocution); the increasing rarity of its favourite prey (rabbit and hare); the closure of its hunting zones and, nowadays, disturbances of reproduction sites. The population has been reduced to some 20 couples, and the success of their reproduction varies greatly from year to year.
The peregrine falcon
The peregrine falcon is a species whose numbers seem to be gradually rising again after a noticeable drop. About half of the previously known nesting sites are occupied again. This is probably due to the protection now accorded this species and to the surveillance of their sites.
The factors that harm the development of the peregrine falcon are the removal of young for hawking, the pollution of its food chain, and disturbances.
The Eurasian eagle owl
The Eurasian eagle owl is well-represented in the Cévennes. The majority of available sites are occupied, with numbers that are regular and locally even abundant.
This relatively discreet species, ubiquitous in terms of its diet and choice of nesting sites, is doing rather well. Nevertheless, birds regularly fall victim to electrocution and fatal injuries from touching electric and barbed wires.