Migration morning

At last!  A fine morning but much cooler and everywhere I looked or walked small birds were breaking cover in the garden. I could hear Pied Flycatchers in the hedges and also the "tacking" of Blackcaps.




Pied Flycatcher


We decided to take a walk around our area and set off through my son Jeremy's garden where Pied Flycatchers and Common Redstarts were very obvious.  We moved on through the vineyards and into garrigue doing a circuit before heading back home.  Pied Flycatchers seemed to be everywhere and we estimated that we had seen at least 100 before completing the walk.  Blackcaps were also numerous and Common Redstarts numbered about 20.  We also noted a Melodious Warbler, Chiffchaff and quite a few Subalpine Warblers.




Subalpine Warbler


We occasionally had time to glance upwards and just noted a Red-rumped Swallow following droves of its common cousins.  Bee-eaters were more audible than visible and we also watched 2 Sparrowhawks and 4 Short-toed Eagles moving south.




One of the 4 Short-toed Eagles


This is just what we have been waiting for and we hope this will continue for a few more days.