There seems to be no end to the unseasonal warm and clear weather but I'm not complaining.
Today's bike ride surprisingly turned up some harbingers of colder times, though. While travelling along the Bonnieure river path I came across a flock of 20+ siskins feeding (as they always do) on alder seeds. Only a few of them were males with vestiges of bright yellow in their plumage. In a nearby tree were a handful of redwings, yet another species that often augers a cold snap so perhaps we should beware.
An unexpected sight in the same location was a single cormorant flying overhead and another slightly surprising bird was a reed bunting in the Tardoire valley.
The day's tally was 37 species in just over two hours which wasn't bad considering that familiar birds such as long tailed tits, linnets and mistle thrushes did not put in an appearance.
I've seen no more late cranes in the last few days but a flock of around 300 over Montignac was reported to me on Christmas Day.
Unseasonal bird activity seems to be continuing into the new year. Cranes have been flying south this weekend; we saw a skein heading south yesterday (January 25th). Charente Libre seems to think this is a portent for a harsh end to the winter. On the other hand, a Serin was singing in the car park at Voeuil et Giget. We thought that these were summer visitors so who knows?
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