Cagouille in his recent comment reports a small flock of cranes moving south but Norman Clark in Fontenille saw two flocks moving north yesterday. So what does this tell us?
It may be a response to a short-term weather pattern or a sign of some confusion caused by elements of climate change. It may even be evidence of some cranes that have wintered not far way and which are moving around locally. The ones seen going north are possibly easier to explain . They could be an early sign of the return migration which usually starts around mid February.
In whatever case, it is good to see them-----but not for me, alas, as I have been in Wiltshire for the last couple of days (where I finally caught up with bullfinch!)
I'm off to Oz later today for bit of exotic birding. I trust that others will continue to monitor the Charente scene in my absence.
Monday, 13 January 2014
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Hawfinches and Winter Warblers
I can often go several weeks before coming across a hawfinch but a flock of at least ten birds was very visible in the mature woodland that lies behind the chateau at La Rochfoucauld. The birding literature refers to the chateau walls as having been a site for wintering wallcreeper on several occasions. That wasn't the reason I was there but I always have a scan when I'm passing in the winter months.
ST treecreeper and firecrest were also about.
I forgot to mention a female blackcap among the birds at Touvre a few days back, and a pair of this delightful species was at St Front today; the male, doubtlessly stimulated by the warm sunshine, was chasing his partner through the branches in a rather lascivious fashion.
A Cetti's warbler called as I cycled along the Son-Sonette, the first I have heard there for some time and there were also chiffchaffs around which meant that I saw more species of warbler than finches today--- quite remarkable for January!
ST treecreeper and firecrest were also about.
I forgot to mention a female blackcap among the birds at Touvre a few days back, and a pair of this delightful species was at St Front today; the male, doubtlessly stimulated by the warm sunshine, was chasing his partner through the branches in a rather lascivious fashion.
A Cetti's warbler called as I cycled along the Son-Sonette, the first I have heard there for some time and there were also chiffchaffs around which meant that I saw more species of warbler than finches today--- quite remarkable for January!
Friday, 3 January 2014
New Year List
It's traditional for birders to get a little excited at the start of a new year with the prospect of starting with a clean sheet and refreshed optimism (rather sad really but it keeps us occupied), nevertheless, what with visitors and champagne etc I've not really got moving yet and so my 'new' list is probably less than 30 and as yet doesn't even include greenfinch.
But I did manage to get some fresh air at Les Sources de Touvre yesterday and came across both little and great white egret . A cetti's warbler was very confiding and gave me close views of this usually skulking chestnut-coloured beauty. And on New Year's Day itself I saw a sparrowhawk, the third one this week in fact, and that's a 'common' species which I often fail to come across for weeks on end.
But I did manage to get some fresh air at Les Sources de Touvre yesterday and came across both little and great white egret . A cetti's warbler was very confiding and gave me close views of this usually skulking chestnut-coloured beauty. And on New Year's Day itself I saw a sparrowhawk, the third one this week in fact, and that's a 'common' species which I often fail to come across for weeks on end.
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