Etang de Prêle, ENS de l'Ain

Etang Prêle is a small nature reserve designed to welcome the public, with an observatory and a walking trail to discover the inhabitants of the pond.
A family outing not to be missed.
Etang Prêle is located in the commune of Chaneins et Valeins, between Dombes and Val-de-Saône.
Covering an area of 12.7 ha, the site is owned by the Communauté de Communes de Dombes, which also manages it in conjunction with the communes concerned.
This is a traditionally-managed Dombes pond. An observatory offers a glimpse of the pond's biodiversity, including great crested grebes, black-headed gulls, grey herons and egrets.
An interpretation trail leads around the pond.
More than 30 bird species are regularly observed on the site, including Little Egret, White Stork, Great Crested Grebe... Other amphibian species on the site include the Palmed Newt.
In terms of flora, the vegetation is varied and mainly composed of rushes, phragmites and reedbeds. Several species of particular interest are present, including the Common Buttercup and the Brown Nutsedge.
More generally, the Etang de Prêle represents a fish farming management issue which, like the other ponds in the Domb region, helps to maintain suitable sites for migratory stopovers and breeding of waterfowl.
Etang Prêle is the perfect place for a family walk along its banks.

Please note that to limit disturbance to birds, particularly in a nesting area, it is not possible to walk around the entire pond.
An observatory is also available for discreet observation of the ballet of water birds.
The pond is also an ideal spot for a picnic stop: tables and parking areas have been provided.
Guided tours for groups are available by appointment. For further information, contact Dombes Tourisme.

The Etang de Prêle was awarded the "ENS" label by the Département de l'Ain in 2016. Real natural and landscaped jewels of the Ain department, sites with 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).