The temperature reached the dizzy heights of 10 degrees today and we ventured out. We visited the Gruissan area in brilliant sunshine but a fierce northerly wind. As we expected there were very few Greater Flamingos about. Less than 20 all day when we would have normally come across a few hundred at this time of the year. Those we did find were looking weak and were very approachable.
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| Adult Greater Flamingo fighting to stay upright just a metre from the road |
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| A tame juvenile Greater Flamingo managing to feed |
We began in earnest at Mandirac where there were lots of Little Egrets and 3 Great White Egrets sheltering from the wind. Twelve Avocets look uneasy huddled out in open water and a lone Spoonbill was fast asleep on a small island. Three Marsh Harriers quartered the marsh repeatedly flushing large groups of Teal.
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| Spoonbill |
We then checked out Le Petit Tournabelle where a ringtail Hen Harrier crossed the road and 3 Water Pipits fed on floating vegetation. As we made our way towards the Roc 5 White Storks headed north. We looked at our favourite wet meadow complex but they were completely dried out and in need of rain. A Sparrowhawk hurtled past and was spectacularly intercepted by a Merlin and they flew off south. Another Spoonbill was found in a reed filled ditch but this time busily feeding.
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| One of two Slender-billed Gulls feeding with Black-headed Gulls |
We headed down to the saltpans at Gruissan where a few more very tame Greater Flamingos were trying to feed. Right on the edge of the open water 2 superb Slender-billed Gulls were busy feeding with some Black-headed Gulls.
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| Black Kite |
Heading home we stopped to watch our first 2 Black Kites of the year battling north against the wind.
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