The Dark side of the French

Last Friday a flock of about 2,000 Starlings arrived on our hill and most of our neighbours noted this slightly unusual occurence and enjoyed the aerial antics and vocalisations of these birds.  Suddenly at least two shots rang out from one French owned farm and then a single shot from another farm at the other end of the hill.  At this time we were walking around our local campsite with the French owner who was also captivated by the birds.

She was furious at the shooting and over the last couple of days we have picked up similar outrage from Dutch and Irish neighbours.  It is hard to explain why the birds were shot.  They certainly were not killed for food.  Maybe there was a perceived threat to the vineyards or local property.  Sadly it is most likely an act of complete ignorance. Whatever we returned home to find a shot Starling in our driveway.

This is the first time any of us at Montcelebre have experienced such behaviour.  We are aware of local hunters but they seem to be OK and concentrate their efforts on Wild Boar and Rabbits which they obviously eat.  We all feel a bit helpless as we live amongst local people and cannot see a way of stopping this sort of incident in future.  It may be though that there will be few less volunteers to harvest grapes at one particular vineyard in future years.

On a brighter note an Eagle Owl was calling in the distance last night as we returned from supper with a neighbour.  Also this morning a superb male Hen Harrier swept down the valley in front of our house.

The Dance of the Flamingos

Another wonderful day reaching 20 degrees and me in a polo shirt for the first time this year.  We decided to take a run down the coast starting at Etang de Vendres.  Nesting has begun for Grey Herons and c40 were already on nests.  Seven Red-crested Pochards sailed below us on a lagoon but two Mute Swans flying past were really unusual for this part of France.

Moving on to Port de Vendres we noted a Chiffchaff, 3 Black Redstarts and a Stonechat.  On the river nearby was a single Black-necked Grebe.  Next stop was Pissevache where a Sandwich Tern was the highlight.

On to Gruissan and certainly the most entertaining part of our excursion.  We found about 50 Greater Flamingos performing their amazing display.  The whole line marching this way and back and shaking heads and emitting loud goose-like calls.  Every now and then they stop and spread their wings like the preverbial flasher in the dirty raincoat.  Very entertaining.  A ringtail Hen harrier flew by as we left.

Our final look at Mandirac produced a Tree Sparrow and a White Stork.

First sense of Spring

Waking today to bright sunshine and no wind it was no surprise that 18 degrees was achieved by midday.  We took a walk with our neighbour Jeanne  around her land.  She owns the local "Camping Naturiste" so you can imagine we do not visit when she has guests.  She has a wonderful view looking out south over the Aude plain to the Corbieres and Canigou at about 10,000 feet in the Pyrenees.

After lunch we looked again at Minerve but nothing much to report.

Later I went into the Cesse Gorge in the hope of calling Eagle Owl.  No luck yet but a Sparrowhawk tried hard to catch some pipistrelle-size bats to no effect and 20 Rock Sparrows came into roost in bushes on the side of the Gorge. My photo above shows Rock Sparrow (in front) with female House Sparrow conveniently posing near my garden.

Storks and Tern

A pleasant sunny day and we set off to the coast and the villages of Bages and Peyriac de Mer.  Approaching Bages we soon noted 5 White Storks soaring overhead.  Now when you see a small number of this species in winter you have to be reminded that a small number of free flying birds are present in the nearby African Wildlife Park in Sigean.  The situation was more confused a few minutes later when passing Bages we encountered another 24 White Storks soaring high in the sky and eventually making their way off to the north.  Surely not early migrants!  BWP reveals that the first breeding birds arrive in Germany in late February so maybe these were on the move.  Too many anyway to all come from Sigean.

We enjoyed a superb fish lunch in Bages at Restaurant La Table du Pecheur.  Expensive but food absolutely wonderful.  If you are ever in the area try it as a treat.

After lunch we explored the Gruissan and Mandirac area.  There was little to report apart from the usual Marsh Harriers, a lone Sparrowhawk and a ringtail Hen Harrier.  What was exciting and not unexpected was a Whiskered Tern which flew across the road in front of the car at Mandirac.

Crossbills turn up

Not for the first time a small flock of 10 Crossbills were touring our hill this morning moving from pine belt to pine belt.  This is not the first time I have seen them here but they normally appear after June.  At the latter time I assume these are birds which have already bred and are wandering in search of food.

This time of the year often sees Crossbills already sitting on eggs so their appearance now is something of a surprise.

After night time gales it has been a wonderful mild day here and I heard at least one Great Tit singing loudly.  Spring comes early to this part of Europe and resident birds can often be nesting by the end of February.

Etang de Capestang again

A gorgeous day today so I headed back to Etang de Capestang to try and get some better pictures of Penduline Tits.

There were less species than on previous visits and only three Penduline Tits found.  I did get better light on them but they kept in a tamarisk bush and annoying shadows spoiled my efforts.

There were up to six Marsh Harriers displaying in the clear skies and three Great White Egrets were on the marsh.  Water Rails were calling everywhere and I managed to see 7 albeit very briefly on each occasion.  As I made my way back to the car a ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting the area.

Good News!  The Cricket and Tigers tour is on in February so I will get to India again but this time to watch Australia v New Zealand and India v England in the World Cup.  We will also visit Tadoba National Park and the Sundabans as well.  Not only Tigers, Gaur and Sloth Bears but loads of birds too.

Day of the Grebes

Yesterday was mild with some sunshine but foggy in patches on the coast.

We visited a few places but Port La Nouvelle was the most fruitful.  The Harbour and in particular the entrance and the sea was full of grebes.  There were quite a few Great Crested Grebes and 20 Black-necked Grebes.  One Black-necked Grebe caught a fish right in front of me too.

Not much else to report but saw a few Greater Flamingos beginning to do their head shaking display.