October 26, 2007
Brittany trip part 2 - Ouessant birds
Since we were over in western Brittany, it seemed rude not to hop over to Ouessant for a couple of days. A lone Great Skua (Grande Labbe) was the most interesting bird on the ferry crossing, plus the usual Gannets (Fou de bassan).
Just like last year, the weather was gorgeous, which meant that just like last year, there were very few rare birds present, and indeed, the most unusual species present was - as last year - Dusky Warbler (Pouillot brun)! The skulker never came out into the open for more than a couple of seconds - if you look really hard into the middle of this picture you may be able to make out its eye and supercilium...
I never tire of seeing the Choughs (Crave a bec rouge) here.
As on the mainland, Siskins were absolutely everywhere, inlcuding several flocks feeding on the short grass around the clifftops.
The typical rocky coastline birds were present, including Great Black-backed Gull (Goeland marin) and Curlew (Courlis cendre).
Ruddy Turnstones (Tournepierre a collier) were well-camouflaged as the fed in the kelp.
This distant Purple Sandpiper (Becasseau violet) was another overdue French tick.
Oyks (Huitrier pie) in flight.
Many Marsh Harriers (Busard des roseaux) were patrolling the island, and a couple of aerial clashes were observed.
Marsh Harrier being mobbed by Meadow Pipits (Pipit farlouse) against the backdrop of the Phare du Stiff.
