Lapwings or green plovers as they used to be called, usually turn up in these conditions and a flock, again of about 100, were in a freshly ploughed field near the house today. They were accompanied as so often by a sizeable flock of starling and also by a pair of golden plovers. The latter seem more easily spooked and continued to fly around calling after the other birds had resettled on the ground. As I have surely mentioned before, it saddens me that both these harmless and beautiful plovers are still on the chasse list in Charente.
Speaking of which, I witnessed the distressing sight of a deer being shot in the field opposite my house yesterday. I have no objection to hunting deer and wild boar as their numbers doubtlessly need controlling (nor am I a vegetarian) but I find it distasteful that people can actually enjoy the activity. The seeming insensitivity to the creatures' suffering is also disturbing; yesterday the wounded animal spent several minutes pathetically trying to fend of a pack of excited dogs while the chasseurs leisurely made their way across the fields, seemingly in no hurry to put it out of its misery.
Anyway that's my little rant for today---so back to the birds. The truth is that there is not a great deal of activity going on. Today's (chilly) cycle ride produced nothing of note other than the plovers and perhaps the large numbers of meadow pipits which are still frequenting the rape fields. I have had a few sightings of male hen harriers over the last few days and I came across another very pale morph buzzard on the way to Ruffec----not quite as startling as the near white individual which is often around these parts but impressive nevertheless.
My brother reported two great white egrets near Rocheouarte last week. I've not seen an egret of any species around here for quite a while; I must visit the wetlands more often.
And finally, looking for all the world as though the space shuttle has landed, here is a shot of the plains on Sunday. The first, and almost completed, of the eight turbines is on the horizon.
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Could not agree more with your rant - I am also not against hunting and indeed enjoy a bit of fishing when I get the chance but the attitude of some of the local hunters and fishermen towards their prey leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteTalking of which, a large bird that we presume to be a pheasant strolled across our lawn this morning. However, rather than the usual brown colour, this bird at first appeared to be black but closer observation revealed it's upper half to be a dark iridescent blue. A very striking sight in the winter sunshine.
A quick Google search suggests that it was probably a Tenebrosus Pheasant which is apparently a sub-species or variant of the common or garden one. It's the first that we have seen anywhere. Have you come across any in the area?