Morgon loop

15 points of interest

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  Fauna

  Deer

  Deer are abundant in the forest of Boscodon but since they are forest-dwellers by nature it is difficult to spot them, although a few clues may betray their presence. Maybe the heart-shaped imprints of their delicate hooves or tree trunks with their bark stripped away by the rubbing of a young buck's antlers to remove the last shreds of velvet. You might also see them in a clearing.

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  Fauna

  Black Grouse

  In Springtime, the male, whose black feathers and lyre shaped tail contrast with its white rump, make spectacular displays to attract the females. Between the larches and junipers, in the high grass is favourable environment for these birds to reproduce, but we have to take in to account the flocks of sheep and the progressive end of this kind of environment.

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  Fauna

  Chamois

  Early in the morning and late in the evening, the chamois come to graze around the Tête de la Vieille, du Pic de Charance or on the other side of the Pic Jean Martin on the edge of the cirque de Bragousse. This emblematic Alpine animal has a particularly well developed sense of smell and hearing which makes it difficult to approach it. So it is easier to observe it through binoculars... which also preserves its tranquility!

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  Flora

  Forest flora

  In the forest, there are a few colonies of Lady's-slipper orchids (also known in French as "sabot de Venus" or Venus' slipper), a species that is as brilliant as it is rare. Please do not pick any of them, so as to protect them and allow others to enjoy them. There is also the very diminutive moss, Buxbaumia viridis or green shield-moss, on decomposing stumps. 

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  Fauna

  Marmots

  The Alpine marmot is naturally present in the high-mountain grasslands. This large rodent is only active above ground from April to October, and in the cold season it retires to hibernate in its burrow. They live in family groups, respecting a strict hierarchy. Through playing, grooming, fighting and biting one dominant pair maintains its position, ensuring group cohesion. Each individual contributes to marking the boundaries of the group's territory, by rubbing its cheeks on rocks and leaving droppings and urine. When danger threatens, the marmot utters a loud, high-pitched whistle to warn its companions.

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  Pastoralism

  Preserved Pasture

  The Morgon cirque welcomes a flock of 1300 sheep. At the height of the tourist season, it migrates towards the pastures at Vallon Clapier and Olettes more to the East. This is due to agro-environmental measures, a contract between the Pastoral Organization and the Ecrins National Park which seeks to protect pastoral resources and the environmental assets of the pasture.

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  Fauna

  Wolf

  Although the species had been eradicated in France at the beginning of the 20th century, about 400 wolves remained in 1980 in Italy. Today thanks to the protection that it benefits from this large carnivore is settling more and more in the North... It regularly comes to the pasture in the summer creating some damage which has been noted by the park rangers in the National Park and compensated for. The presence of the shepherd and his « dogs » is however dissuasive.

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  Fauna

  Rock Ptarmigan

  It is sometimes possible to see the Rock Ptarmigan on the ridges of the shale slopes which, after having picked their way through the rocks, fly away in a flash of white. It is one of the most threatened species in the Alps... With global warming, evolution in the pastures, winter frequentation ... the future seems uncertain for this inhabitant of the ridges...

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  Fauna

  Griffon Vulture

  The Pic de Morgon is used by the vultures coming from the right bank of the Durance, sometimes in large numbers, to get up to altitude after having crossed over Serre-Ponçon Lake. Scavengers exclusively , these gravediggers who have frightened and disgusted mankind for a long time hold a fundamental place in the food cycle by rapidly eliminating cadavers and in this way limiting the dispersal of microbes and illness.

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  Panorama

  Summits and vallies

  The summit of the Pic de Morgon offers a magnificent view over the Ubaye and the Durance. While on the right bank of the latter, one can see the Aiguilles de Chabrières, the Piolit and the Mont Guillaume, on the left bank of the Ubaye, you can see the Dormillouse. Near to the Pic de Morgon, is the Tête de la Vieille, le Pic de Charance and the Pic Jean Martin. In the distance, you can distinguish the Pic de Bure as well as the snowy summits of the Ecrins and the Vanoise.

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  Flora

  Flora at altitude

  On the ridges, la Berardia Subacaulis, rare and protected, resembles plants found in the desert. Its grey-green cottony rosette is unusual up here on the slopes where we also find the Rose Daphne with its suprizing fragrance. On the limestone the Silver Edged Primrose grows, a Southern plant which is recognizable by its divided leaves edged in silver.

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  Fauna

  Avifauna on the cliff

  The North face of the Pic de Morgon, with its cliffs, is a perfect place to watch the rock birds... You can see the aerial acrobatics of the Red Billed Chough, which breaks the silence with its strident cry, which is almost metallic. You can also observe the rapid flight of a group of Alpine Swifts and that of those that look like butterflies the Wall Creepers with their legs and curved claws enabling them to cling on to the cliff.

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  History

  Saint Pierre sanctuary

  From time immemorial, the « chapel » situated near to Morgon Lake is the goal of a pilgrimage which takes place every 29th June, Saint-Peter’s day. The practice of this pilgrimage probably goes back to Pagan times; witnessing these impressive stone boulders which may have been used as sacrificial altars... Of this sanctuary, which has been abandoned since the beginning of the 20th century only a few roughly cut rocks remained. However it was identically rebuilt in June 1992 by the students at the Ecrins Technical College. Since then, festivities are held there once more every June.

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  Fauna

  Common Frog

  The only amphibious frog living at altitude, it reproduces in Morgon lake before this dries up. Well versed in inhabiting these glacial waters where it hibernates without too much danger, it has a stocky body about 10 cm long, beige with brown markings and a short face topped with golden coloured, protruding lidded eyes.

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  Fauna

  Eurasian pygmy owl

  The smallest owl in Europe lives and breeds in the forest above the Fontaine de L'Ours. There are fewer than 1,000 pairs in France. But in late summer, you can hear its distinctive call.

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