Barmus loop trail: Snowshoe Passy

The exhibition an information office Maison de la Réserve naturelle de Passy is located in Plaine-Joux and welcomes you during the school holidays. The permanent exhibition about fauna, flora and landscapes will open the doors to the nature reserve. You may find answers to some of your questions here and can admire the wild species hidden in nature. If the Maison de la Réserve Naturelle is closed, don’t worry, go up to the passageway. There is permanent free access to information about former (geological times) and present landscapes, the wonders of biodiversity, and the great challenges of the mountains of the future (water, glaciers, global warming...).

Its powerful beak enables it to sustain itself mainly on seeds or nuts! In winter, they feed on the seeds of cembros or coniferous pines, which they have stashed in the ground during the summer. This bird is a great friend of the forest too. By carrying these seeds in its beak, it helps to reseed the forest by scattering them mid-flight.

It is a small forest passerine that often lives in the company of its brethren, such as the Black-capped Chickadee or the Willow Tit, as they share the same habitats. Its presence is linked to that of old trees, either dead wood or ageing trees, also known as "senescent wood". It is particularly fond of coniferous forests (spruce, pine and fir). It is a lively little ball of energy, constantly on the move and recognisable by its crested tail. It feeds on small insects, larvae and spiders, as well as conifer seeds.

During the harsh winter conditions, animals have no other choice than trying to survive, one day at a time. Our presence on their territory will obviously disturb them, and even frighten them; so let's try to minimize this disturbance: - Stop and wait quietly untill the animal goes away. - Do not shout or make sudden movements which would stress the animal even more. - Do not try to approach it nor follow it.

A species that is particularly sensitive to human disturbance, the black grouse finds refuge for the winter in the northern valleys, enabling it to conserve its energy by reducing its physical activity. A fierce bird and an icon of mountain wildlife, the black grouse takes its name from the shape of its tail feathers, which are curved in the shape of a lyre! Males, or roosters, have blue-black plumage all year round. The hen, who raises the chicks alone, has a less flamboyant reddish-brown plumage, enabling her to blend into the landscape and protect herself from predators. This ability to go unnoticed in their natural environment is known as homochromy.

This species, gifted with an exceptional ability of mimicry, is able to alter its plumage between the summer and winter seasons in order to blend in with its environment. In winter, its plumage is plain white; in summer, there are brown and black patches on top; in autumn: greyish with white patches on top. Its name, which means "hare's foot", comes from the fact that its feet are covered in thick fluff during winter! It is one of the most endangered birds in the Alps. In the Haute-Savoie nature reserves, populations are monitored every year to assess changes in numbers, with the help of the " Observatory of Mountain Galliformes ".