Birding day trip Les Coussoules & La Palme March 2024

More Great spotted cuckoos!

Today’s day trip was somewhat of a challenge with the high water levels reducing the muddy margins at La Franqui to a point where not many waders were feeding. On our walk along the Coussoules area of low dunes between the lagoon and the sea, we did however manage to find a group of three or four noisy Great spotted cuckoos. All the group managed to get good views. Some were also interested in the Mediterranean tree frog sunning itself on the branch of a bush (not something you expect an amphibian to do – but then they are called “tree frogs”! On our way back to the cars Karline found us a beautiful Edwards’ sand racer that cooperated for the photographers.
We had a rather breezy picnic overlooking the lagoon at La Franqui and a cup of coffee before heading off to the salt pans at La Palme. We enjoyed looking at the Kentish plovers, Little stint and Avocets and Slender-billed gulls. Migration was slow but we did see a pair of Short-toed eagles and an Osprey before finishing the day looking for the Blue rock thrush at the old quarry. The male had already been seen in the distance from the salt pans, and the female was added to the list.

You can read or download the trip report here.

Birding day trip Ouveillan-Capestang March 2024

The Great spotted cuckoos are back!

On our recent birding day trip around Ouveillan and Capestang we were very happy to find Great spotted cuckoo. The GSC is a species in serious decline, so it is always a relief to find them at the beginning of a new season! A few early birders managed to get good views, with their noisy antics drawing our attention as soon as we arrived! Sadly, they did not stay around long enough for the rest of the day’s participants to see them.

We did however all get decent views of a lovely male Little bustard in his breeding finery. We then managed to add Stone curlew in flight and later on the ground. As we looped back to the lovely ruins of the Fontcalvy grain store, we were thrilled to get good views of Little owl. At the end of the morning, Steve managed to pick up the Iberian grey shrike – another species in decline. But the heat haze made it very difficult to see. A discussion about the identification of a male harrier was resolved when it was seen for a second time and confirmed as a Hen harrier (and not a Montagu’s as initially thought).

After a picnic in the shade, we moved on to the Capestang marshes. But after two years of drought there was very little water. A Penduline tit was one of few reed bed birds we managed to see. Migrating birds added interest the afternoon by providing good views of both Black and White stork, plus Black kite, Red kite and Short-toed eagle. Also several large groups of Glossy ibis (with 30-60 in each group we must have seen well over 200 coming into land in the marshes).

You can read or download the trip report here.

Winter Wallcreeper weekend 2022 Trip report

Another successful weekend looking for Wallcreeper in the Languedoc!

We had a fun weekend at the end of February visiting the spectacular sites that offer the perfect habitat for overwintering Wallcreeper. No matter how much preparation we do, we are always in the lap of the bird and weather gods, but they were all kind to us this year! And what can beat a great group of birders, great weather, delightful accommodation, delicious food and wine, and some really excellent birding!

See and/or download the 2022 trip report and bird list here.

If you are interested in joining the 2023 Wallcreeper trip, please contact us here.

We may extend the 2023 trip and make it a Monday to Friday trip…

Winter Weekend looking for Wallcreeper

Spectacular sites, charming accommodation, great food and wine and an interesting list of target species!

Join us for a fun weekend at the end of February visiting some truly spectacular sites to search for Wallcreeper. No promises, but we have a good track record on this trip and recent records are encouraging! There are plenty of other interesting species to see too, such as Iberian grey shrike and Great spotted cuckoo, Little bustard, Stone curlew and many more…

See full details on the trip page here.

So if you are itching to travel and see some exotic birds, but want to stay fairly close to home and keep your carbon footprint down – come by train and join us for a fun weekend of #lowcarbonbirding !

March day trip around Canet-en-Roussillon

BLDT03-21 Saturday 20th March 2021 – Day trip birding around Canet-en-Roussillon

Guide of the day: Karline Martorell accompanied by Philippa Benson
Participants: 6
Weather conditions: Very strong NW wind,  mostly sunny, temps ranging from 6°C to 11°C
Highlights of the day: Bluethroat, Great spotted cuckoo and Iberian green woodpecker

As a reward for putting up with challenging weather conditions, we were treated to some great views of our target species! We felt particularly lucky to get a really excellent view of a male Bluethroat in full breeding plumage feeding out in the open. This excitement was soon followed by a short but clear view of a Great spotted cuckoo. And we were pleased to be able to show all participants close-up views in the scope of the distinguishing features of Iberian green woodpecker, also feeding in full view.

Click on the link below to read or download the full trip report and bird list.

 

Trip report and bird list 2021.03.20 Canet

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