April 8, 2006
Around the block
Unusually for me, I'm having a relatively relaxed weekend at home in Orsay. Having added singing Black Redstart (Rougequeue noir) to the garden list this morning, I decided to walk up the road to my local woods, and was soon rewarded with the first of two calling Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (Pic epeichette). This Red Squirrel (Ecureuil roux) chose a less than convincing hiding place!
The arable fields at the edge of the woods appear to have healthy populations of Skylarks (Alouette des champs) and Meadow Pipits (Pipit farlouse). However, the best birding was in a row of poplars which were just coming into bud. Among the feeding frenzy were two Willow Warblers (Pouillot fitis)....
... and at least 6 Tree Sparrows (Moineau friquet)...
... along with large numbers of Goldfinches (Chardonneret elegant)...
... and a singing Siskin (Tarin des aulnes).
Great to have such healthy rural bird communities right on my doorstep!Bordered by woodland, orchards, arable land and a good-sized pond, and with good views to boot, this would have to be my dream home in Orsay.
The view from my somewhat more modest lodgings.
