Discover the natural habitats of Ouessant with CEMO • EnezGreen

Ouessant: an important ornithological reserve

Between the early days of spring and the end of summer, the Study Centre for the Ushant Environment (CEMO) and Centre of the Regional Natural Park of Armorica offer animations to discover the fauna, flora and natural habitats of Ouessant.

François Quénot is a specialist in land settlement and sustainable development who has been living in Ouessant for 4 years. A naturalist animator for the CEMO, this biologist from the Morbihan region offers various outings with different themes: seacliff birds, the fauna and flora of the northern coast, the discovery of the foreshore, the identification of algae and sea animal species and the observation of migrating living along the coastline and nesting in the cliffs. Whether he wanders among the rocks or the dunes, François Quénot shares with passion his knowledge of the marine and land fauna and flora.

Discover the exciting world of the foreshore

With his boots on, his binoculars around his neck, an orange pail slung across the shoulder and a red bonnet screwed on his head, François Quénot is easily recognisable among the rocks, even in misty weather.

As soon as the tide gets low, visitors join him on the foreshore of the beautiful little bay of Porz Gore, in the south of the island. The biologist then tells all the secrets of the true spectacle that unfolds in a theatre of coloured algae. Visitors discover a fascinating world where crabs moult, shrimps wriggle in puddles formed at low tide and strange animals , sometimes with a viscous and gelatinous appearance (common sea anemones and beadlet anemones) or with a pointed hat (common limpets, ‘patelles’ or ‘bernic’ in Britton language) hiding underneath the rocks.

Tides govern foreshore ecosystems

François Quénot points out how the tide spreads living species along the coastline and shows the different ecosystems at each level of the seashore. Besides sharing his knowledge of the habitat, the scientist also explains the tides phenomenon, the trophic chain and the biodegradability of the foreshore all the while reminding visitors that the environment and regulations in force should be undertaken when undertaking seashore fishing. The visit is interesting and diverse both from a pedagogical and scientific point of view with the recourse to different methods to enable the discovery of this natural habitat. This playful activity is an amusement for children all the while sensitising their parents to the vulnerability of the habitat. Located near the Creac’h lighthouse since 1984, the CEMO welcomes amateur observers and scientists from all over the world all year round.

Outings must be booked well in advance at the CEMO.

Cetacean and sea bird watching, key-features

An exceptional natural heritage ★★★

Integrated in the Regional Natural Park of Brittany since 1969 was ranked Ushant ‘Biosphere Reserve of Iroise’ by Unesco in 1988 and is also part of the natural marine park Iroise (PNMI) since 2007.

Public awareness of the wonder ★★

Financially supported by the General Council of Finistère, the MECC invested in an information process, public awareness and environmental education and proposes among other outputs ‘discovery of the natural environment’, in the company a naturalist facilitator. These outputs are intended for all audiences (schools, naturalists, associations, general public…). Five main themes are available for groups wishing to explore the island of Ouessant in naturalistic angle: Birds cliffs, coastal migratory birds, landscape evolution, the north coast fauna and flora, fauna and flora of the South Coast and finally, algae and animals from the seaside.

Destination insider naturalist public courses are organized on weekends. They generally focus on the theme of recognition and identification of different animal and plant groups.

A functional center ★

In an exceptional setting at the foot of the lighthouse Créac’h, the center has a capacity of 39 beds. Equipped with a multipurpose room and a laboratory, it is the ideal equipment to receive various types of public. Open to all, the center hosts and many researchers (naturalists, sociologists, anthropologists, archaeologists…), birdwatchers follow from migration, school, hikers…

The thirty-nine beds are spread over ten rooms (from 2 to 5 beds per room). Four rooms have bathrooms. The other six are rooms ‘dormitories’ with each March to May beds (single or bunk).

The center does not have a restaurant but users can prepare their own meals using the fully equipped kitchen.