Birding Northern France Day 1 18th May

An early start on Saturday morning got us to the Eurotunnel half an hour early having met up with Alan, Ian and Brenda. A quick coffee break enroute got us to Sailly Bray by 10am (11am local time)

Sailly Bray

Looking for Bluethroat

 Having been given directions we tried one site then another and eventually found where we were supposed to be, we were unable to find the target species of the Bluethroat although one was possibly heard. However Sedge and Reed Warblers showed, 2 Marsh Warblers were singing and a Grasshopper Warbler reeling. A stunning male Hen Harrier flew over the reedbeds. After about 3 hours we set off to Crecy Forest.

Having lunch at this entrance track Paul pointed out a Black Woodpecker as it flew accross the track and fortunately I was looking in the right direction unlike the rest of the group and was able to watch it fly back again.

Crecy Forest

We spent about an hour looking for another but all was quiet, so moved to another part of the
8 by 4 mile forest.

Apart from the Middle Spotted Woodpecker which we failed to find our other target was Short-toed Treecreeper and it wasn't long before Paul found one and then another. But as usual the light in the forest was poor.

We next went onto Le Crotoy where we found a common sandpiper on a gravel pit, on the roadside pools Ian found my first Black-winged Stilts but were distant.

Black-winged Stilts

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt

 Black Swan

This Black Swan was giving the locals alot of attention. Sadly the first I have seen for over a year and I give them a tick!

Before retiring to the hotel we gave Sailly Bray another visit but still no sign of the Bluethroats. At the Budget Ibis Hotel in Abberville a pair of Black Redstarts were around.