Big Day Out

We were up early and out by 7.30am.  A big day planned with Stephen Moss and Rod Leslie.

We started at Capestang and began the walk across the marsh.  We immediately enjoyed good views of a Purple Heron wrestling with an eel.  Later on a muddy pool we encountered a Wood Sandpiper and a Little Stint.  Looking around we counted about 10 Great White Egrets and 5 Squacco Herons.  Black Kites and Marsh Harriers quartered the marsh and a single Red-rumped Swallow flew over with Barn Swallows.

In the reedbeds Reed and Great Reed Warblers were singing and a single Bearded Tit appeared.  We just noticed a Purple Swamphen running along a reedy path and 2 Black-winged Stilts flew over.

Just before leaving we noted 4 White Storks soaring away in the distance and 2 Gull-billed Terns flying over the marsh.

We moved on to Lesignan and stopping by a series of vineyards and meadows we discovered 2 Ortolan Buntings and a Golden Oriole called in the distance.

Next stop was Fleury where about 6 Lesser Kestrels from the reintroduction project were showing well. Turtle Doves purred in the background and a Melodious Warbler chattered away in a nearby hedge.

Next stop was at the sewerage lagoons at Pissevache.  Two Whiskered Terns were feeding accompanied by a White-winged Tern found by Rod on the previous day.  A pair of Red-crested Pochard were also present.  Opposite to the lagoons a great flock of Sandwich, Common and Little Terns were joined by 6 Mediterranean Gulls which flew in calling.

We moved on to Gruissan and the Ile de St.Martin.  Eating our picnic we spent a bit of time concentrating on butterflies and Stephen using his net identified Silver Studded Blue, Spanish Gatekeeper and Black-veined Whites.  Driving around the vineyards behind rocky outcrops we were very pleased to find 2 male Black-eared Wheatears, 2 Whinchats and a Rock Sparrow.

We checked two more areas but found little different and stopped in Olonzac for a beer before heading home.

Tomorrow we plan to visit Northern Spain.