December 24, 2007
Reflections on 2007
Another year (almost) over, another year of great birding. Stand-out moments were, in no particular order: finally connecting with Wallcreeper at Les Baux, a manic weekend of chasing birds in Holland (with Red-flanked Bluetail as the star attraction), watching Black Woodpecker babies grow and fledge, a warm summer evening spent with a local Long-eared Owl, birding in amazing scenery in Corsica, Ouessant and the Pyrenees, in-hand views of Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike and Hawfinch, two very confiding crakes, catching up with old friends (avian and human) in California, finding a Red-tailed Tropicbird nest and watching a Kagu display in New Caledonia. At the time of writing I have no idea what 2008 holds - or even in which country I'll be living - but I'm sure that wherever I end up there'll always be birds to keep me busy!
My last birding outing of the year (probably...) was an evening visit to the Etangs des Imperiaux and Consecaniere on the west side of the Camargue, where Greater Flamingoes (Flamant rose) glowed in the winter sunlight.
A lone Black-headed Gull (Mouette rieuse) sent ripples across the flat-calm water...
... while an adult male Hen Harrier (Busard Saint-Martin) ghosted over the saltmarsh.
