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We will visit several spectacular sites in the Minervois today, in search of overwintering species such as Wallcreeper and Alpine accentor. Resident species such as Blue rock thrush, Crag martin and the ubiquitous Sardinian warbler are more than likely. We also have a chance of seeing Golden eagle, Bonelli's eagle, Black woodpecker and various raptors starting their migration north. Guide: Sébastien Roques

Around Ouveillan we will visit several good birdwatching sites with a mixture of habitats including some filtration ponds, open agricultural land and some ruins of a Cistercian grain store Fontcalvy. This year's slightly later date will give us a better chance of seeing the increasingly rare Great spotted cuckoo. Target species include: Great spotted cuckoo, Little bustard, Stone curlew, Iberian grey shrike, Little owl, Hoopoe and quite possibly some migration (White stork, Black kite and other raptors).  At the Capestang marshes we might see Purple swamphen, Marsh harrier, Bearded tit and just maybe Moustached warbler! Guide: Sébastien Roques

A walk around the La Palme salt pans and the Coussoules area of low dunes provides good views for waders and many birds on migration (passerines and raptors). During this period, we can have a good chance of seeing species such as Bluethroat, Spotted crake, Moustached warbler, Black-winged stilt, Avocet, Kentish plover, Slender-billed gull, Short-toed eagle, Marsh harrier, Black and Red kite, Osprey.... We will also look for Hoopoe and Great spotted cuckoo in the more open area of les Coussoules or at the back of the dunes, and may be other surprises on migration. Guide: Karline Martorell

We start by scanning the old salt pans for Black-winged stilt, Kentish plover, Avocet and other waders. If the conditions are right, we will have a look at the migration spot overlooking the Etang d'Ayrolles (White stork, Honey buzzard, Osprey and various other raptors as well as various hirundines).Then we will have a good search amongst the vineyards and garrigue of the Ile Saint Martin looking for perhaps the first Woodchat shrike of the year, Tawny pipit, Rock sparrow before stopping for our picnic. After lunch will head up into the La Clape headland visiting an old quarry (Blue rock thrush and various warblers). We will finish the day with the low-lying marshy areas and flooded pastures (egrets, herons, storks, and possibly Bee-eater...). Guide: Karline Martorell

The area around airport runways seems to be good habitat for Little bustard and Stone curlew! We also hope to see Great spotted cuckoo, Hoopoe, Iberian grey shrike and just possibly Greater short-toed lark. A number of Ocellated lizard are also known to be in the vicinity! Then we will change habitats completely for the open garrigue and rocky cliffs of the Fontfroide hills. Good habitat for Dartford and Subalpine warblers and often a vulture or two flying over!  We may just see the first Bee-eaters of the year! Guide: Karline Martorell

Today we start with a quick visit to the area around Béziers airport to look for Little bustard, Stone curlew and Great spotted cuckoo. Then on to the Portiragnes wetland area in search of Little bittern, Black-crowned night heron, Purple swamphen, Mediterranean gull, various terns and in the reedbeds hopefully Great reed warbler. In April, this is also a good period to have some species on migration (waders and raptors but also passerines). To finish the day, direction Lespignan and its balcony viewpoint to get great views of the Lesser kestrel colony. Guide: Karline Martorell

The Aude flood plain and river banks are reliable for a number of colourful summer visitors, including Bee-eater and Roller, Golden oriole, Great spotted cuckoo plus Woodchat and Iberian grey shrike. A picnic on the shady benches around the church in Fleury d'Aude should see us add Lesser kestrel to the list and an afternoon on the coast will add some diversity with Black-winged stilt, Slender billed gull, Kentish plover and Little tern and less common species possibly such as Sandwich, Whiskered and Black tern. Guide: Karline Martorell

The area around airport runways seems to be good habitat for Little bustard and Stone curlew! We also hope to see Great spotted cuckoo, Hoopoe, Iberian grey shrike, Woodchat shrike and Greater short-toed lark. A number of Ocellated lizard are also known to be in the vicinity! Then we will change habitats completely for the open garrigue and rocky cliffs of the Fontfroide hills where we will be looking in particular for Common rock thrush. Good habitat for Dartford and Subalpine warblers and often a vulture or two flying over!  Target species here include Common and Blue rock thrush, Common cuckoo, Bee-eater and possibly some raptors (vultures and Golden eagle). Guide: Karline Martorell

Gruissan is a great birdwatching spot that is worth a visit at several times during the season. The itinerary will be the same as in April, through garrigues and lagoons. But we will have more chances to observe later species like Bee-eater, Woodchat shrike, Black-eared wheatear, and young waders (Avocet, Black-winged stilt, Kentish plover). At the end of the day, we will visit the Little tern colony. Guide: Karline Martorell

Between Fitou and Opoul we'll have a look in the patchwork of vineyards and garrigue for Thekla's lark, Tawny pipit, Woodchat shrike, Black-eared wheatear, Dartford warbler, Sub-alpine warbler, and Ortolan bunting. We'll check for Blue rock thrush and just maybe the (not so) Common Rock thrush. Then we will drop down to a great place to see the Roller (several breeding pairs on site).   Guide: Karline Martorell

We start in the Capestang lagoon which is a great place to see Purple swamphen, Spoonbill, Black-winged stilt, Night heron, Squacco, heron, Glossy ibis, Lapwing and many other species. At this period, we have really good chances to have some young just out of the nest. Then we'll head off to Lespignan to have a good view on a Lesser kestrel colony. Guide: Karline Martorell

This itinerary will involve quite long walks through the marshes of Lattes and Lansargues. These birdwatching sites are fantastic to see gull and tern colonies (as shown in the photo below). Black-winged stilt, Glossy ibis, Yellow wagtail, Flamingo, and Avocet are also regularly seen. In Lattes marshes, we may well see passerines in the reed beds such as the Moustached warbler and the Bearded tit. Guide: Karline Martorell

Our first stop will be a private visit to the Réserve de Bagnas! This is a great opportunity to visit this well protected reserve, Target species include: Purple swamphen, Purple heron, Glossy ibis, Little bittern, Common and Great reed warblers. We may also see Black-crowned night heron and Squacco heron. In the afternoon we will visit the village of St Pons de Mauchiens where each year a large colony of Lesser kestrel come to breed, so we should get good views! Guide: Karline Martorell