One of the delights of my time on the Isle of Wight was having dartford warblers around. They are one of the two warbler species that regularly occur throughout the year in the south of England, the other being cetti’s, although some chiffchaffs and blackcaps now overwinter. In Charente dartfords are uncommon and localised as they particularly like gorse scrub and there’s not much of that around in this intensively farmed department.
However, there is one interesting location, Les Brandes, just outside Soyaux which seems to be a stronghold for a few pairs and some dutifully put in an appearance this week. Information about the site is available online including the inevitable chasse dates when it’s best not to be there.
There was surprisingly little else about though so in search of other localised species I went to have a look at the Trouve between its source and Masagnac. This is good place to find mute swans, coot and little egrets but little grebes are particularly abundant. Great white egrets, kingfishers, gadwall and water pipit sometimes occur there and I have seen migrating osprey on several occasions.
No comments:
Post a Comment