Col de la Colombière (French Alps)

[butor2003]

Spent a nice day up at the Col de la Colombière not far from Geneva. Not very warm however at 1700 metres.

When I arrived I was greeted by one of the resident pair of Lammergeiers, other sightings included:-

Northern Wheatear
Water Pipit
Golden Eagle
Common Buzzard
Alpine Chough
Black Redstart
Whinchat
Rock Bunting
Lesser Redpoll

No sights or sounds of Rock Thrush and Alpine Accentor and I was too lazy to go high enough for Snowfinch...

In the mammal department, lots of very friendly Ibex with many young. Lots of young humans making plenty of noise so probably one of the reason for the absence of Rock Thrushes...

I was hoping to see some Griffon Vultures as there is the start of an influx again into the alps but none to be seen.

Mike

[Colin Key]

Nice list, and sounds like a wonderful day (apart from the "young humans"!) Mike. Could have done with some of that cool mountain air here today - it has been 36ºC in the shade.

Colin

[butor2003]

Yes but you have some nice birds there down in the Algarve, but I agree 36 degrees is a bit painful... A few degrees more and the mountains would have been a lot nicer and I am sure more birds would have been singing. I have not yet seen a Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush this year and that is one of the easiest places for them.

Mike