February 29, 2008
Signs of Spring
The weather has turned decidedly spring-like in the south of France, so I'm trying to get out and about as much as possible. Last weekend Andrew and I hiked up to the base of the cliff face of the Hortus to the sound of singing Firecrests (Roitelet a triple bandeau), Chiffchaffs (Pouillot veloce) and Sardinian Warblers (Fauvette melanocephale).
These miniature narcissi were attracting attention from bees, butterflies and hummingbird hawkmoths.
The Peregrines (Pelerin) that nest here were very vocal as they patrolled the cliff face.
Thanks to a newly-laid bike path, I spent an afternoon of velornithologie (birding by bike) in the countryside between Montferrier and the source of the River Lez.
Highlights were a flock of 20 Cirl Buntings (Bruant zizi).
The river itself held Grey Wagtail (Bergeronnette des ruisseaux), Kingfisher (Martin-pecheur) and singing Cetti's Warbler (Bouscarle de Cetti) in the bankside vegetation, while a group of calling Hawfinch (Grosbec casse-noyaux) remained impossible to see in the the treetops.
Posted by rjhall at February 29, 2008 4:45 PM