The ARBOUSIER – ARBUTUS / STRAWBERRY TREE is a bushy tree which blooms in late autumn with the appearance of small white bell shape flowers. Soon after, these turn        into ARBOUSES, small edible red-orange balls that can be used in jelly and jams.

MYRTE – MYRTLE is a heady scented small shrub very present in      the  Maquis. In winter it produces small blue-black berries, the leaves are oily. Myrtle is used in Corsican gastronomy, the foliage flavours grilled meats and berries are used to make a liqueur.

IMMORTELLE D’ITALIE or CURRY PLANT is a low shrub, with silver leaves topped with clusters of yellow flowers in early summer. It has a strongspicy perfume from the leaves. The plant has many medicinal propertiesand is used in aromatherapy and is a good insect deterrent.

 ASPHODELLES – U TARAVELLU cover Corsica in spring. Growing on barren, sandy and rocky soil, they brighten up the landscape with their little pinkish star-shaped flowers sprouting from their stiff branches, like gawky candelabra.

OLIVE TREES have grown in CORSICA since antiquity. Seen as mystic trees throughout the Mediterranean, in Corsica OLIVE OIL is also used against L’OCCHIU, the evil eye.

CHATAIGNIERS – CHESTNUT TREES blossom in May and June and CHESTNUTS are harvested to produce flour, dried and ground they are used in local cuisine.

LARICIO PINES are coniferous evergreen trees that can grow up to 50m high with a straight trunk with grey flakey bark, and long dark needles.

Fauna

Mammals

The Corsican MOUFLON is called A MUVRA, protected from huntingthey can be seen by the lucky few in the BAVELLA and CINTO mountains.

SANGLIER – U CIGNALE or WILD BOAR live in groups led by dominant females, the men preferring to go it alone. Largely vegetarian they feed on Corsican chestnuts, acorns and truffles. Prized by hunters for their authentic taste they are generally shy of humans. The CORSICAN PIG – PORCU NUSTRALE, should not be confused with their wild cousin – their coat is much lighter in colour. They live in relative freedom, you’ll often see them foraging and they are quite aggressive especially if you have food on you.

RENARD VOLPE or FOX is unlike the urban foxes of mainland Europe. An opportunistic predator, they eat almost everything so beware: birds, chickens, insects, fruit, they can be dangerous.

Reptiles & Amphibians

TORTUE HERMANN or HERMANN’S TORTOISE is a wild tortoise that lives only in PROVENCE and CORSICA. Protected by law, a good population now live in the south, around PORTO VECCHIO, FIGARI and the SARTENAIS. COULEUVRES VERTE & JAUNE or GREEN WHIP SNAKE or GRASS SNAKES are the only snakes to be found here, none are poisonous, but a bite from one could be painful.

SALAMANDRE DE CORSE CATELLU MUNTANINU has a large black and yellow body. SALAMANDERS need a certain humidity: they appear only at night or just after a rain.

Birds

SITTELLE CORSE or CORSICAN NUTHATCH is endemic to the island.

Endangered it is protected and conserved by the ONF. Office National Des Forêts. Small with a grey coat and white breast, it lives at altitudes between 800 and 1800 m, exclusively in the pine forests in the island’s interior.

GYPAÈTE BARBUE ALTORE or BEARDED VULTURE is the largest bird of Corsica, but extremely rare. Most can be found around the CINTO MASSIF.

MILAN ROYAL – FILANCIU or RED KITE is widespread and is easily recognised by its forked tail. This bird of prey eats birds and rodents. The BALAGNE is the

Micro-region with the highest concentration or RED KITE.

LA BUSE – U BIZZAGRU or BUZZARD can be seen everywhere on the island and the LE FAUCON PÈLERIN – U FALCU or PEREGRINE FALCON breeds on the coast and in the interior up to 1500 m. BALBUZARD PÊCHEUR – ALPANA or OSPREY nests high up in the rocks of the SCANDOLA RESERVE. Actively protected, their numbers have fallen, the excess of tourist boats over the summer being the likely cause. Steps have been taken now so that the birds are less disturbed, with a no go zone near the cliffs.