Working in the Garden

A day at home clearing up garden rubbish and having a bonfire.  This is the only time of the year we can burn rubbish because it is normally too dry.  Not many birds today - a ringtail Hen Harrier chased small birds over the lucerne field and a Buzzard soared overhead.

Ringtail Hen Harrier - photo by Ian Spence

Quite a number of people ask me how and when to visit Languedoc and see its stunning wildlife. My friends Susan & Tim Wallis have some cancellations in May at their gite in nearby Oupia.  This is one of the best times to visit here.  Birds, butterflies and flowers at their best.  Why not visit their website www.lourecantou.com

Snowbird in the Sunshine

Paul Williams joined me today and we set off for Pic de Nore with a particular bird in mind.  I had not seen this species for well over 20 years.

The amazing view from Pic de Nore

Reaching the summit we were immediately struck by the amazing view.  All around the valleys and lower ground was covered with cloud.  We had anticipated cold weather but it was wonderfully warm.  A pair of Black Redstarts caught our eye near the car park.

Male Black Redstart

We set off walking away from, the car park and immediately a bird got up flying high above us.  At once I could see its white wings with black tips and called "Snow Finch".The bird circled around and finally landed in front of us.  To our utter amazement we were able to watch and photograph this much sought after species.

Snow Finch

Snow Finch again

After over an hour enjoying this bird we wandered around to see what else we could find.  We added 4 Citril Finches flying over calling, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Crested Tits and a few Coal Tits.  We started our descent after a picnic lunch and headed  towards Citou.  We heard Marsh Tit singing and saw Buzzards and Jays by the roadside.  We arrived at Citou and climbed to the castle.

Citou Castle

Citou is a know site for Wallcreeper in winter and we looked hard.  None today but a lovely Alpine Accentor.  What a great day and 2 lifers for Paul,

Wallcreeper Blank

The news that pals Ron Bennett and Paul Williams had seen two Wallcreepers at Moreze (about 2 hours to the east of me) this morning inspired me to get out around Minerve and keep searching.  I did just that this afternoon but failed to find any of these wonderful birds or Alpine Accentors.

Firecrest

I did find a wonderful Firecrest, Black Redstart, c30 Fieldfares and a ringtail Hen Harrier.

Walking my French Patch

Corn Bunting

Still lovely sunny weather but a chilly wind.  I walked around the hill where we have our house to see what birds were present. A single Meadow Pipit got up from the lucerne fields and 27 Corn Buntings were lined up on a telegraph wire.  Edging close to a pine wood I found a pair of Crossbills and the male was singing.  Heading back for home a group of 6 Cirl Buntings flew up from an area of scrub.

Into The Gorge

The River Cesse in full flow through the Gorge

Today we spent and hour or so walking in the Cesse Gorge in the beautiful village of Minerve. As usual there were hordes of Blackcaps feeding in the sunshine.  We found no Alpine Accentors or indeed Wallcreepers but we did get a glimpse of a male Blue Rock Thrush on the village rooftops.

Male Blue Rock Thrush

I also checked out Lac de Jouarres but could only find 60 Mallard and 8 Great Crested Grebes.  On the way home a Green Woodpecker on the side of a telegraph pole was a bit of a surprise.

France at Last

We eventually arrived in France yesterday morning this time with no problems.  The weather here is amazing.  Cool but bright sunshine giving tremendous light.

Black-necked Grebe photographed at Port de Vendres last year

We headed for the coast to see how many new species we could find for my 2013 list.Approaching Port de Vendres a Merlin dashed across the road and in the harbour we found 2 Black-necked Grebes fishing.  A small flock of Greenfinches and a Black Redstart were also noted.  We headed for Pissevache where we found 4 Marsh Harriers and a ring-tail Hen Harrier as well as 3 Great White Egrets.  On the sewerage ponds there were at least 500 Northern Shovelers and c30 Shelducks.  On the large shallow lagoon 15 Greater Flamingos huddled against the wind.

Northern Shovelers on the sewerage ponds

We moved on south to the Gruissan area.  On the salt pans there were more Greater Flamingos and an unseasonal Common Sandpiper.  Little else so we headed for Mandirac.  Windy conditions made birds difficult to find but single Marsh and Hen Harriers caught our attention.  Checking out the small lagoon at Le Grand Castelou I was amazed to find 30 White Storks present.  At this time of year an odd bird is possible but this was an exceptional number.

White Storks at Le Grand Castelou

We were nearly home and approaching our house when a superb male Hen Harrier crossed the road and on arriving home a Sparrowhawk came hurtling out of our hedge.

Birthday Bash

After a heady night before we awoke to cold but sunny weather.  It was time to start the 2013 bird list so I started around the house.  Today was my 70th birthday so I had a bit more energy having reached this milestone.  I quickly notched up 17 species including a super Red Kite right over the house. Time to move on.




Lapwings


We started at Kidwelly Quay and as usual there were lots of Redshanks about 200 in all plus 12 Greenshanks roosting under the railway bridge.  Lapwings were also very obvious and c500 were counted as they took to the sky.  A couple of Little Egrets were added and three Goldeneye in the main channel.  We checked out the sewerage works and added Grey and Pied Wagtails but no sign of any Chiffchaffs.




Male Goldeneye


Next stop was Burry Port Harbour.  The first winter Long-tailed Duck was still there but no sign of Mediterranean Gull.  We headed on to Pembrey Country Park and scanning Cefn Sidan Beach found plenty of Oystercatchers, Sanderlings and Dunlin.  A Jay and Raven over the forest were also noted.  Back north again and a stop at Ferryside.  135 Black-tailed Godwits stood out along with the commoner waders.




The Long-tailed Duck at Burry Port


Finally in afternoon gloom we added 4 Whooper Swans at Cilsan Bridge bringing our total for the day to 54.