February 25, 2006
Waxwings, Middle Spotted Woodpecker and other goodies
Today I took the train out to Colombes to search for a flock of wintering Waxwings (Jaseur boreal). I bumped into local birders Florent and Bruno, who had searched for the birds in vain for the past hour. There appeared to be no berries or other suitable Waxwing food in the areas the birds had previously been seen, so I wandered into the car park of a nearby tower block. There I found several Pyracantha bushes laden with berries, two more birders (Dave, another expat Brit, and Raoul, also a photographer) and... the Waxwings!
Bad hair day...
Several Redwings (Grive mauvis) were also enjoying the feast.
I spent the rest of the day in the Bois de Vincennes, and along with a couple more birders, relocated Olivier Laporte's obliging male Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Pic mar) in the north of the park. Amazing that this species (and Black Woodpecker) can be found in the centre of Paris!
A large mixed finch flock contained at least two Serins...
... and attracted the attention of a local Kestrel (Crecerelle).
Nearby on Lac de Mande, an ugly hybridisation looks set to happen.
Red Squirrels are common here too.
In the evening I returned to the Black Woodpecker (Pic noir) hole for another photo attempt. It arrived much closer to dusk today.
Note to self: stand further away next time!
How does a Hawfinch compare in size with out California Grosbecks?
Posted by: Sami at March 5, 2006 5:54 PMsalut je suis à clématis!
belles photos!!
as tu trouvé la loge du pic noir sur orsay?
on la cherche depuis janvier!!
a plus!!