The trip to ndalucia went well with a trip list of exactly 150. Despite the mainly fine weather, evidence of summer passerine migration was less than expected. The raptor migration at Tarifa was spectacular however with flocks of 100+ black kites and griffon vultures occurring regularly. Highlights of the trip included some birds that are unlikely to make their way to Charente such as collared pratincole, lesser kestrel and black shouldered kite.
Charente had distinctly greened up during the two week absence and some summer visitors seem already well established. Swallows, cuckoos, hoopoes, chiffs, black redstarts and blackcaps are around daily and I have seen and heard tree pipits over the last two days.
I'm spending some time at Fontenille at the moment and song thrushes are particularly common at the moment both as singing birds and small flocks passing through. As always in this village, yellowhammers are particularly common even to the extent of small flocks. This species seems to be very localised in Charente and cirl buntings are much more widespread. Similarly, corn buntings are very plentiful especially in the dolmens area and flocks of ten or more occur. On the other hand, buzzards which are usually ubiquitous in Charente seem thin on the ground (and in the air) around Fontenille.
I'm still waiting for my first passage wheater but I did see a migrating marsh harrier today and Irv saw a black kite near Ruffec on Saturday. Every day in April can bring new visitors,
No comments:
Post a Comment