The documents gathered here present the cliffs of Bessin and the bird protection devices described in the background. They are preserved in their historical context.
The special protection zone of Vierville, ZPS and ZICO
On this level is the ZICO and the ZPS (as well as the ZNIEFF)
GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE SITE:
The cliffs of Bessin belong to all the marly limestone cliffs and rocky plateaus of the Calvados coast. In one piece they extend over several kilometers of coastal linear and have a abrupt of about forty meters.
The Jurassic layers constitute most of the cliffs of the site: the limestones of Bessin, little fossil and corresponding to land of the middle Bathonian, disappear halfway to Grandcamp under a coarse head, mud and stone flows placed under the periglacial climate.
A little further east, the Hachettes cliff in Sainte‐Honorine-desPertes contains the international reference cut (stratotype) of the bajocien. The fossil fauna (ammonites, sponges...) is remarkably rich and well preserved.
Many quaternary manifestations are observed there: retreat of cliffs, karst phenomena, resurgence of underground rivers, travertine veneers.
Aerohaline lawns, rich in typical species, develop on the turns and overhangs. In part of the summit, between the cliff and the agricultural plots, there are thickets of junces, tamaris and prunelliers.
HERITAGE CRITERIA MOTIVATING RECOGNITION:
Constituting one of the richest sites in nesting seabirds in all of Normandy, this coastal area has been selected as an Important Zone for the Conservation of Birds.
The vertical limestone walls are indeed home to the main French colony of the Mouette tridactyl (Rissa tridactyla). Its annual monitoring shows rapid and continuous growth with 2200 couples to date, compared to 1700 in 1990. A species of high seas for much of the year, the tridactyl Seagull only comes ashore to nest. Due to her gregarious behavior and characteristic cries, she animates the site from March to September.
We also observe the highest national density of Pétrel fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis, 140 pairs), as well as the reproduction of brown (Larus fuscus, 25 pairs) and silver (Larus argentatus, 350 pairs) gulls.
In the internuptial period, the site is a resting place for several species, including the grand Cormoran (Phalacrocorax carbo) and the Huppé Cormoran (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), smaller and whose habitat is strictly maritime.
Among the nesting rock species, we mention the Colombin pigeon (Columba oenas) and the grand Raven (Corvus corax), whose distribution area in Lower Normandy is reduced.
The Pergrine Falcon* (Falco peregrinus) regularly frequents the cliffs which constitute, for this raptor, a hunting territory on which it feeds.
The thickets of the summit moor are of great interest in view of the reception of the Fauvette pitchou* (Sylvia undata) which had its only nesting site in Calvados.
These same bushes house during the winter period a dormitory of Howl of the marshes* (Asio flammeus), probably the most important in the department.
At sea, at the right of the cliffs, we observe the regular wintering of the Huppé Grèbe (Podiceps cristatus), the Plongeon catmarin* Gavia stellata), the Harle huppé (Mergus serrator), the Guillemot de Troil (Uria aalge) or the little Penguin (Alca torda), justifying the taking into account of the Domaine Publie Maritime over a width of one nautical mile.
Also noted are the Marine Seagull, the Down Eider, the Sclaves* and Black-necked, the Black Macreuse and many other passing seabirds (fou de Bassan, labbes and sternes in migration... ).
Still on the ornithological level, we note on this privileged site, an important migratory passage, especially for the limicoles.
OTHER HERITAGE INTERESTS:
On the rocky plateaus of Grancamp and Pointe du Hoc, an interesting algal flora has been identified, with more than 80 species inventoried.
MANAGEMENT:
The rock nesting of seabirds depends on non-disturbement, especially during the cantonment of couples. Various follow-ups and scientific studies as well as regular monitoring are carried out, in particular on the Saint-Pierre-du-Mont conventional reserve followed by the Norman Ornithological Group.
The management of the environment, rather in a natural balance, is limited to routine maintenance (cleaning).
A high place of the Allied landing during the Second World War, the historic site of the Pointe du Hoc is therefore very popular. In this respect, the existence and marking of the coastal trail are particularly timely and effective.