Going south



Greater Flamingos feeding


Having shopping to do in Narbonne we first drove south down the coast beginning our day at Franqui.  Searching the large flocks of gulls we were delighted to find 2 Sandwich Terns sitting on a sand bar.  There was nothing else of note so we moved on to La Palme.  Here we were very pleased to count about 400 Greater Flamingos all looking very healthy and already beginning their display walk.  Seven Great White Egrets were also feeding in there midst.

Greater Flamingos in the throes of display

We drove up Port La Nouvelle beach but only 2 Oystercatchers were of note.  We checked out the harbour and watched several Cormorants feeding together catching fish.  Most were already sporting whitish head as they assumed breeding plumage.




Cormorant



Successful Cormorant


Our next stop was at Peyriac sur Mer where there were even more Greater Flamingos - c500 between there and Bages. A couple of Great White Egrets, 11 White Storks and 7 Avocets were also noted.




Great White Egret


After shopping we did a rapid check of the Gruissan area.  Plenty more Greater Flamingos and at the Mandirac area 6 White Storks, 2 Great White Egrets, c30 Teal, 14 Avocets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Greenshank.