Observe Anglet’s wildlife!
Play the little zoologist! To observe Anglet’s wildlife, you’ll need to be patient and blend into the landscape. In the meantime, let yourself be amazed by the beautiful shots taken by our naturalist photographer, Léo Micouin.
Join in the fun at Parc Izadia: Meet the park’s staff at their wildlife-watching events. Take advantage of their innovative augmented reality technology, using digital tablets, to discover the park’s inhabitants in a whole new way. You’ll be able to observe discreet species such as wild rabbits and red foxes in intimate moments: sleeping in a ball, yawning, stretching or eating.
Respect natural habitats: On your walks, remember that you’re exploring natural habitats rich in tiny or majestic inhabitants, sedentary or migratory. Make sure you respect these precious places; nature will repay you!
Red fox
(Vulpes vulpes)
The red fox is a crepuscular, nocturnal animal, seeking peace and quiet above all else. With its red coat, elongated muzzle, large ears and long, bushy tail, it is easily recognized. Its underside is generally white. Omnivorous, it feeds on small rodents, rabbits, berries, fruit, insects, carrion and worms, depending on the season. Very territorial, it marks its territory with its scent and can live alone, in pairs or in groups. Adaptable and curious, it acclimatizes easily to a variety of environments.
The red squirrel
(Sciurus vulgaris)
The red squirrel is a diurnal animal that rests at night in a nest of twigs and moss, perched high in the trees. An excellent climber, it leaps between trees. For winter, it buries provisions in the spring, helping to spread seeds. It has a slender silhouette with a small, round head, large ears with brushes of hair, and a long, bushy tail. Its coat is red with a white belly. Common in the Lazaret and Pignada forests in Anglet, it prefers coniferous trees, but can also be found in deciduous forests.
The wild rabbit
(Oryctolagus cuniculus)
The wild rabbit is gregarious and territorial, often seen in groups, but can also live in isolated pairs. It is mainly nocturnal. In Izadia, you can spot it along the thickets at the foot of the dune, scanning the paths. Its grayish-beige to brown fur and distinctive ears, as well as its small, pom-pom-shaped white tail, are particularly conspicuous as it flees. Don’t confuse it with the hare, which is much taller and more slender. It frequents the hinterland, as well as forest edges, hedgerows and meadows.
European roe deer
(Capraeolus capraeolus)
The European roe deer is a slender animal with slender legs, a tiny tail and a narrow head adorned with large ears. Its coat is light reddish in summer, turning grey-brown in winter after moulting. Generally crepuscular and nocturnal, they can sometimes be seen in broad daylight. Deer form groups for the winter, splitting up in the spring. Territorial, each individual covers a territory of around 100 hectares. Although it prefers forest habitats, it can adapt to a variety of environments. Herbivorous, it feeds on woody vegetation, herbaceous plants, mushrooms and cereals.
The Great Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo)
This large bird is a fish-eater: it feeds by catching fish and aquatic invertebrates. After ingesting its prey, the great cormorant lands on a reef and spreads its wings. Two hypotheses explain this behavior: on the one hand, it allows the bird to better digest its meal, and on the other, to dry its feathers. Indeed, cormorant feathers are much less watertight than those of other birds.
The grey heron
(Ardea cinerea)
The grey heron, Ardea cinerea, is a permanent guest in the park. It rests here all year round or hunts along the two Izadia lakes. With a wingspan of at least 1.60 m and a height of 1 m, it is nevertheless capable of flying unnoticed among the tamarisk trees. Keep a close eye on the banks…
Goldfinch
(Carduelis carduelis)
All year round, you can come across this bird in the park: the goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis. But it’s mainly in spring and autumn that migrating individuals stop off at Izadia. Look for them on the dune vegetation or in the thickets along the path. Its song is easily recognizable.
Chickadee
(Saxicola rubicola)
All year round, you can come across this bird in the park: the goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis. But it’s mainly in spring and autumn that migrating individuals stop off at Izadia. Look for them on the dune vegetation or in the thickets along the path. Its song is easily recognizable.
Kestrel
(Falco tinnunculus)
A small bird of prey found in open areas where it can easily hunt. To hunt, the bird is able to hover, i.e. without moving (like a helicopter). It flaps its wings as it stays in place, scanning every movement in the tall grass. Its visual acuity enables it to spot the slightest small mammal (vole, mouse…). In a dive, it can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.
La Belle-Dame
(Vanessa cardui)
This diurnal butterfly has great ecological plasticity, as its habitats are so diverse. It frequents deserts as well as dense forests. A migratory butterfly, the Belle-Dame heads for North Africa around mid-November. It returns to Europe in spring, from April onwards. This species can travel up to 500 km a day!