Réserve départementale de la Dombes, ENS de l'Ain

Owned by the Département de l'Ain, these remarkable natural environments, next to the Parc des Oiseaux, are highly diversified and representative of the Dombist landscape: meadows, woodlands and farmland sit alongside several ponds.
Site not open to visitors.
The Réserve départementale de la Dombes is not open to the public.
However, it is possible to enjoy an overall view of the Turlet pond from an observatory located near the Parc des Oiseaux, on the RD1083.
Only a few supervised visits are possible, organized for school groups in particular. Adjacent to the 345-hectare Parc des Oiseaux, it is owned by the Département de l'Ain.

A veritable mosaic of natural habitats, these remarkable natural environments (ponds, meadows, hedges and woods) are characteristic of the Dombois ecosystem, and present major ecological, landscape and educational challenges.
It is home to numerous bird species, including a wide variety of anatidae, grebes, egrets, night herons, storks, coots, newts (crested, alpine, palmate, spotted) and large-breasted leucorrhines.
Its role is extremely important, particularly during the nesting period (spring/early summer) and over the winter. The species that breed or overwinter here are highly sensitive to disturbance.
The long-term preservation of the site's ecological and landscape wealth is essential.

The Réserve Départementale de la Dombes was also awarded the "ENS" label by the Département de l'Ain in 2016. Real natural and landscaped jewels of the Ain department, sites awarded the ENS "Espaces naturels sensibles" label are managed in such a way as to preserve the biodiversity they host, and developed for opening to the public (barring exceptions due to the fragility of the environments).

The Régie Natur'Ain is the site manager.