Ce n'est pas normale

The phrase used as a title is what people have been saying to me in various tongues everywhere I have been travelling in recent years and they are talking about the weather.  We are well aware of the horrendous spring and summer in the UK but what about elsewhere?

Floods in North Norfolk UK

When in Alberta, Canada in June/July we experienced several consecutive days of 30 degrees.  Very unusual said the local news.  Alberta only reached 30 degrees twice in 2011 and then in August.  In Brazil consecutive days of 45 degrees were described by locals as much hotter for the time of year.  Friends from Alaska describe recent unseasonal flooding which threatened their home.  Tonight I heard the President of Greenland describing enormous changes in his country's climate and said nobody could deny accelerating climate change was here to stay.

Almost snowless Rocky Mountains in summer 2012

Here in the south of France we have enjoyed very warm sunny weather throughout the autumn. Ce n'est pas normale has been heard often. Even two days ago myriads of butterflies were still on the wing.  Plenty of Great Banded Graylings, Clouded Yellows and Painted Ladies.

Painted Lady

This all changed today.  We awoke to low, dark cloud and persistent rain.  Although mild (20 degrees) it has been so dark that our sensor security lights have never gone off.  What is more  we are forecast this weather until Sunday.  Ce n'est pas normale.

Brrrrrrrrrr! It's getting colder

Although bright and sunny it was really cold first thing this morning.  The air so clear that early snow was very visible on Canigou and its sister Pyrennean peaks. On our return from market we  drove under a splendid Red Kite.  Getting closer to home I noted a number of small birds around our community so set off in pursuit.

Chiffchaff

In lower vegetation I found at least 20 Chiffchaffs in quite a small area.  After these migrants most of the birds found were winter visitors.  A Fieldfare called from thick pine woodland and several Song Thrushes broke cover.  Two Corn Buntings were probably residents as was a singing Woodlark.  Chaffinches were pouring overhead and so were quite a number of Siskins.  Winter is not far away.

In the Garden

Have been at home all day doing some work in the garden.



Male Blackcap

Whilst taking a break I noted 2 Black Redstarts, a Common Redstart, 2 Chiffchaffs and 9 male Blackcaps all taking a bath together in a bowl of water under a pine tree.

To the South

We needed a little shopping in Narbonne so first decided to go south as far as Port Leucate.  We checked out the small pools by the main lagoon but the only waders found were 27 Ringed Plovers and 2 Kentish Plovers.  we then headed up to Cap Leucate looking forward to seeing a completed Visitor Centre.  What a disappointment - No visitor facilities yet but a glass fronted restaurant with great views over the ocean.  The menu price of 49 euros will surely mean this will not last long.  A big case of priorities wrong.



Little Egret feeding frenzy

It was then down to Franqui where we watched groups of Little Egrets and Black-headed Gulls feeding feverishly together.  Checking out the small sewerage farm we found only 3 Common Snipe.  We moved on to Port La Nouvelle and sat munching sandwich by the pier.  I scoped c80 Cormorants flying south in a large "V" and also picked up 6 Gannets fishing out to sea.  This is the first time I have seen this species off the French Mediterranean coast.

Gannet

Heading for the shops there were c100 Greater Flaminogos and 200 Coots at Bages.

A Feel of Autumn

The feeling this morning was one of impending autumn with small flocks of finches etc all over the garden.  Lots of Goldfinches, Serins and Chaffinches with quite a few Starlings gathering to feed on our figs.  I also noted at least 6 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff as well as 2 of our resident Sardinian Warblers.  Perhaps predictably a Sparrowhawk soon arrived and just as rapidly the garden cleared of birds.

Serin

I took a look around the hills nearby and did catch a glimpse of a Dartford Warbler.

Not Much Today

Male Chaffinch

Not much today but quite a lot of Chaffinches moving south first thing.  On the way to Olonzac market the Southern Grey Shrike was on his usual perch.  Just before dusk a Pied and a Spotted Flycatcher were hunting for insects in our garden.

Two Hoots

Tawny Owl by Roger Tidman

We have just had University Challenge interrupted by a Tawny Owl calling loudly outside our lounge door.  This is the second year running we have had this species here.  Previously we had Eagle Owls in the area but these have not been heard for 2 years so that is maybe why Tawny Owl is here?