Off to France Thursday 13th March 2014

 
 

 

Thursday 13th March Chris, Christine, Bob and I took the 7.50 Eurotunnel and within an hour and a half we were in Crecy Forest which was alive with Bird song mainly Nuthatches. Spending 3 hours at various sites we had brief views of what we think were Middle Spotted and Black Woodpeckers, I also managed to get onto a Short Toed Treecreeper but the others didn't.

 

Our next stop was at Marquenterre 

 

Avocet

Spoonbills - 5 of the 40 plus seen

Close up Teal

In the Heronry Spoonbills were building nests and the Storks repairing theirs as they use them all year round as a roost.

After a lot of searching we found the pair of Night Herons hidden amoungst a Willow

Night Heron

There were still a few Whooper Swans that hadn't moved north despite the warm weather.

Whooper Swan

Staying over night at Mers Les Bains near Le Treport the plan was to visit the pools at Ault, however with thick fog along the coast we heade back to Crecy Forest but other than the common birds no Woodpeckers were seen or heard. Next we went to Sailly Bray a bit early for Bluethroats but we a couple of great White Egrets, Marsh Harrier, Med gulls, Cettis, and we all had good views of another Short-toed Treecreeper.

Next stop was at Stella Plage near Cucq for Crested Lark - this was a bit of a gamble as there were miles of sand dunes but once leaving the car park in the first dune a bird was spotted in the marrum grass. 

It soon disappeared but Christine relocated it and we all got a reasonable look but when it flew to the beach and then onto the car park we were happy it was a Crested Lark much larger than our skylark

Crested Lark

Crested Lark



A good couple of days with warm weather and good company

New Forest 2nd March 2014

The annual visit to the New Forest was a bit earlier than normal by about a week, however the birds still performed. We started off in a wood looking L.S.Woodpeckers without luck however a good view of a Tawny Owl was most welcome.

 

Next stop was at Pipers Waite, our regular place for Goshawks, and getting out of the car Paul spotted one, we enjoyed a couple of others and also picked this Wood Lark.

Wood Lark

Next stop was Blashford Lakes, for Goosander and something else that I've forgotten. Then onto the woodland hide for Redpolls, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Finch and Siskin

Siskin

Amoungst the Redpolls and Siskins was a Mealy Redpoll (one on the right)

 

Also good close ups of Blue Tit

and Great Tit

Great Tit