A Brit abroad

Spring...

The sun's been shining for three days now (my mother tells me there's still snow in SE England - hah!), and spring is definitely in the air. I opened my apartment window to photograph this Nuthatch (Sittelle torchepot),

... and in flew this rather fearsome-looking bee.

This morning I visited the Etangs de Saclay, and saw my first Swallow (Hirondelle rustique) of the year. Nothing else too exciting, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer (Bruants de des roseaux et jaune) were both in song, one each of Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Goelands leucophee et brun), and a large feeding flock of Shoveler, plus a few Gadwall (Canards souchet et chipeau).

Back on campus I ran into several Marsh Tits (Mesange nonnette), many of which were in song.

I'm still struggling to obtain a decent Crested Tit (Mesange huppee) photo, but I thought this one had amusement value - the cheek spots and crest combine to make a 'face' not dissimilar ot that of a Montezuma Quail!

Now that the ground has thawed, the thrushes have switched from berries to worms, and I was able to get close to this Mistle Thrush (Grive draine)...

... and Blackbird (Merle noir).

I was extremely pleased to spot a Water Vole (Campagnol aquatique) in the Yvette - these are extremely hard to see in Britain now, having been extirpated by escaped Mink (Vison).

The vole seemed pretty nervous, perhaps due to the proximity of this Kestrel (Faucon crecerelle).

After work I paid the now customary visit to the 'finch spot', where this Brambling (Pinson du nord) was showing well.

This male Bullfinch (Bouvreuil pivoine) was very bright, but its 'feeble' call suggests it is of the regular European form.

Notice how the Hawfinch's (Grosbec casse-noyaux) bill colour has become much darker now that the breeding season approaches.

As dusk was approaching I followed up a hunch and was delighted when this male Black Woodpecker (Pic noir) came in to roost - always a good bird to end the day on!

Posted by rjhall at March 16, 2006 8:42 PM