1)  Simple Bed & Breakfast with the added benefit of hosts with extensive local knowledge. Packed lunch and/or evening meal available should you require them.   And, if you wish, hire us as your guides for half or whole days (see prices below). 

or 2) set yourselves up in local self-catering accommodation, and we'll guide your group when you want for 130 Euros per day (supply your own food and vehicle).   There are 2 gites at the nearby village of St. Bonnet-le-Chastel, one housing up to 10 people at a cost of just 610 Euros for the week, the other housing 2 people for 350 Euros per week.   The French owners - Eric and Marie-Jo BARRAS - live just next door, are very friendly indeed and speak English very well.  Take a look at their website: http://augiteslechastel.free.fr   

or  3)  An extensive and very reasonably-priced selection of all-inclusive themed breaks (most on natural history), of duration three, 4 or 7 nights with us at Novacelles.  Expert guide, free transportation (including collection from a local airport or rail station - contact us for a list of the alternatives before booking), full board, all diets catered for. Programme throughout the year. Pace adjusted to suit you, itinerary likewise depending on the weather, etc.  AND SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNTS ON THE NORMAL PRICE FOR GROUPS OF 5 OR 6 PEOPLE !

Here's someof wha we did in 2008 .  Our programme for 2009 can be found further down the page.   

"Birds of the Camargue".  Sat 5th - Sat 12th April 2008.  .  Breeding birds included Greater Flamingo, Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Calandra Lark, Subalpine Warbler, and Sardinian Warbler.  There were migrants too, like Osprey.   For more information about our Camargue trip, click on the link at the bottom of the page. 

"The Natural History of the Auvergne".  Saturday 26th April - Sat 3rd May 2008.  We saw super flowers (orchids included Elder-flowered and Green-winged, Early Spider), birds included Eagle Owl and Tengmalm's Owl, Hoopoe, Bonelli's Warbler, Short-toed Eagle and Alpine Swift .  Yellow-bellied Toads were seen spawning in profusion too. 

"Orchids and other wildflowers of the Auvergne".  Sat 10th - Sat 17th May 2008.  We saw species that are rare in Britain but which are common here - Lady Orchid and Military Orchid for example - plus a multitude of other wildflowers in a variety of habitats in spectacular locations.  Butterflies included Marsh and Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, Chequered Skipper and Duke of Burgundy. 

"Breeding birds of the Massif Central."   Tuesday 20th - Tuesday 27th May 2008.  We had great, close views of Bonelli's Warbler, Black Woodpecker, Purple Heron, Alpine Swift, Honey Buzzard, Red-footed Falcon, Eagle Owl, Crag Martin, Firecrest, Rock Sparrow and many, many more.  

"Butterflies of the Auvergne (1)".   Sat 28th June - Sat 5th July 2008.   More than 60 different species seen, INCLUDING ONE NEW TO THE REGION, the Large Chequered Skipper.  The "impossible" is indeed possible with Massif Nature.  To see a report of two of our previous holidays, click on the link "BUTTERFLY-WATCHING HOLIDAY REPORTS" below.  To learn much more about butterflies and their conservation worldwide, click on the link "LEARN ABOUT BUTTERFLIES", also below.  

Butterflies of the Auvergne (2).  29th July - 5th August 2008.  We saw 78 different species of butterfly.  Don't miss out in 2009!   

"Family weeks" throughout August 2008.  We had just one family of 5 take us up on this, for a 4-night stay.  We did pond-dipping, moth-trapping, bird-watching, bat-detecting, owl-watching, minibeast searches, mammal-trapping, outdoor games, nature's harvest, orienteering,  weather recording, field skills, the volcanic landscape, and more.   Mum and Dad had lots of time to themselves!  For a more extensive list of activities, click on the link "itineraries" at the top of the page. 

"Bird migration (1)."  Tues 2nd - Tues 9th September 2008.  We saw a spectacular migration of Honey Buzzards, Tree Pipits, Pied Flycatchers, Bee-eaters, Ospreys, Red Kites, and smaller numbers of Short-toed Eagle, Black Kites, hirundines, warblers, Whinchat, Wheatear, Tawny Pipit, and waders. 

"Autumn spectacular".  Weds 8th - Weds 15th October 2008.  We visited mixed woodland with fungi galore in wonderful locations.  We found spectacular bush-crickets and grasshoppers too, including Wart-biter, Large Mountain Grasshopper, and Blue-winged Grasshopper.

"Bird migration (3)".  Saturday 18th - Weds 22nd October 2008.  We made an early start each day to visit the hilltops and witness the most incredible passage of birds - Red Kites, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Chaffinches, Bramblings, Woodlarks and Skylarks, all in huge numbers.  In the afternoons we made trips to see some of the local Hen Harriers, Little Owls, Rock Sparrows, Kingfishers, and Dippers amongst others, and Eagle Owls in the evening.

"Search for Wallcreepers".  Sat 25th October - Sat 1st November 2008.  These beautiful birds are never exactly guaranted to show themselves, so it's said!  But we found one on each of the first two days, and our visitors were immediately satisfied.   But we didn't stop there!  Click on the link at the top of the page ("wallcreepers") for more information. 

OUR 2009 PROGRAMME

"Natural History of the Auvergne".  Sat 8th - Sat 15th April 2009 (incorporates the EASTER WEEKEND).  Everything from birds to insects, amphibians to plants.  700 E per person.

"Orchids and other wildflowers of the Auvergne".  Weds 13th - Weds 20th May 2009.  700 E per person.

"The Breeding Birds of the Massif Central".  Sat 23rd - Sat 30th May 2009.  700 Euros.

"The Breeding Birds of the Massif Central".  Sat 6th - Sat 13th June 2009.  700 E per person.

"Insects of the Auvergne".   Sat 20th - Sat 27th June 2009. The focus will be on dragonflies and butterflies, but anything goes!  Great opportunities for photography, as dragonflies will be captured (unharmed of course).  Contact us for species lists.  700 Euros per person.

"Butterflies of the Auvergne (1)".  Sat 4th - Sat 11th July 2009.  700 E per person.  To see a report of two of our previous holidays, click on the link "BUTTERFLY-WATCHING HOLIDAY REPORTS" below. 

"Butterflies of the Auvergne (2)".  18th - 25th July 2009.   700 Euros per person. 

"Butterflies and grasshoppers of the Auvergne".  Weds 29th July - Weds 5th August 2009.  700 Euros per person. 

Family holidays throughout August - contact us for more details.

"Bird migration (1)."  Sat 5th - Sat 12th September 2009.  Flycatchers, hirundines, warblers, waders and kites are on the move.  We'll be visiting spectacular sites to observe them.   700 Euros per person. 

"Autumn spectacular".  Sat 26th September - Sat 3rd October 2009.  Mixed woodland with fungi galore in wonderful locations means amazing colours and terrific photographic and painting opportunities.  Spectacular bush-crickets and grasshoppers .  700 E per person.

"Bird migration (2)".  Saturday 10th - Sat 17th October 2009.  An early start each day to visit the hilltops and witness the most incredible passage of birds - wood pigeons, various finches and larks in huge numbers, and even Red Kites.  Afternoons will be more relaxed on the days with early starts!   700 E per person.

"Search for Wallcreepers".  Sat 24th - Sat 31st October 2009.  These beautiful birds are never exactly guaranted to show themselves, but a week with us will give you the best possible chance!  We'll be visiting all of their traditional wintering sites of spectacular chateaux, river gorges, quarries and villages in search of them (see photo below).  Join us!  720 Euros per person.  Click on the link at the top of the page ("wallcreepers") for more information.

CONTACT US FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON THESE AND MANY OTHER HOLIDAYS.

And don't forget, you might prefer the freedom of B&B or self-catering, but require a guide on the occasional half or full-day, to take you to see a specific site, or help you to find some of the local wildlife. We are available for hire!

Or, tell us exactly what you want!   We are very flexible and can arrange an itinerary solely based on your needs, whatever the subject, whenever the timing.The small size of groups ensures that you get the most from your hosts!