More Birds Today

Once we woke to a dull, damp cloudy day but on looking in the garden there were plenty of birds about.  A Pied Flycatcher was the only summer migrant but increased numbers of Cirl Buntings and Chaffinches were very obvious.

Young Cirl Bunting

We drove off late morning to have lunch with our friends Paul & Jan at Pouzolles and en route encountered 2 Short-toed Eagles and a Buzzard.  After lunch Paul and I had a look around his patch but birds were harder to find.  A solitary Honey Buzzard did fly over as well as a number of Swallows.  Entering a small wood after seeing a few Long-tailed Tits we had brief views of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which was my first in 2012.

Honey Buzzard

Heading home just before 7pm we really struck gold when an Eagle Owl flew low across the road right in front of our vehicle.  A stunning view of a super bird.