The rivers are highly populated too: for example the curious beast that is the Planer lamprey, with its body without scales, its eel-like shape and its jawless head with a sucker as a mouth. Slightly more aesthetic is the white-clawed crayfish as well as a great many dragonflies, including the golden-ringed dragonfly. The peat bogs are home to characteristic, rare species of plants such as cotton grass and the carnivorous round-leaved sundew. A discovery trail on wooden walkways, accessible all year long, is to be found at the Guette peat bog in Neuvy sur Barangeon. "Pentecosts", the name given to the orchids that flower at that time of the year, such as the purplish red loose-flowered orchid or the green-winged orchid, are to be found in the flood plains.

 

 

The lakes, fashioned by Man since the Middle Ages, are home to an impressive array of plant species: the bright yellow carnivorous bladderwort, the water lilies with large white flowers, as well as delicate buttercups. Many water birds migrating over the Loire stop off in Sologne. Others, such as the great egret, spend winter here, while the great crested or little grebes, the western marsh harrier or the black-headed gull stay all year long. Sologne also has its springtime guests: eared grebe, whiskered tern and purple heron are rare, illustrious representatives. And there are other birds, like the great bittern, a large heron whose presence can be confirmed by its very powerful night-time song, which sounds rather like a foghorn. Of all the lakes in Sologne, the most comfortable is Beaumont, which has a lookout post that is open all year round.
To help you in your exploration, go to the Maison des étangs in Saint Viâtre, a showcase for the local nature and culture.