Why?
For some years now my dad and birding mate lives in France with mom, in the Brenne. This has raised his interest for French birding and he started a French List. John and I live in Holland and are eagerly awaiting spring by the end of march. All of us were ready to do some serious birding. Combining those facts we decided to do some early spring birding in southern France and focus on new species (often very different ones between the three of us) and hail the returning spring migrants.
Weather
Hoping to travel towards spring, we left Holland and drove south to France. In Holland it was fine spring weather due to high pressure and entering France we saw the temperature drop from 14 to 7 degrees Celsius. The south of France was all low pressure and the Pyrenees were covered from 1500 m up with recent snowfall. Every day, but April 1st (SW), had cold northerlies and our best days were April 3, 5, 6 and 7 when the wind was less strong and temperatures reached up to 18 degrees. Daylight from 7.15 till 8.
Birding
From 7.30 am till 8 pm was the daily birding routine, getting up at 7 and arriving in the next hotel at 8.30. Breakfast and dinner in hotel/restaurant. We bought lunch at supermarkets and took it around 1.30 on some seriously beautiful spots.
Sources: read a lot of trip reports on the internet (Surfbirds, Google). Ornithomedia and Oiseauxprovence were among the French internet sites used, which give up to date information about rarities.
Some personal advice was taken from Michel Jay, A.B. v.d Berg, P. Planken en Aristide Parisod. Thank you all.
Apprehended most information directly from J. Crozier’s birding southern France (2000), which gave excellent directions towards many exclusive places and good birds. From these only plateau de Beille was disappointing, mostly due to the snowfall, but is very touistic aswell. Capercaillie that should occur in this area hasn’t numbered more than 3 birds this winter (local source). Walking around for White backed woodpecker was impossible at Luchon where the forest was covered with half a meter of snow. The Luchon area looks a promising spot for all rare mountain species.
At migration spots we didn’t have the right winds but still saw quite a lot (more later).
The Camarguë was cold and windy, but for the sheltered reserve of la Capelière where an early Melodious warbler tried to sing some warmth in our hearts. The bird-rich, flat, wet and windy Camarguë basically remembered us of Holland, with slightly more flamingo’s.
We were by far the most charmed by the flat pebble landscape of the Crau and the calcite hills of the Corbières that offered few species, but nice ones and terrific scenery and flora. My dad and I had both visited Crau before in non-birding holidays, but then became totally disappointed by it’s inaccessibility. This time we were prepared and saw every thing we wished for.
Itinerary:
March 31
Left Holland at noon. Arrived at my parents house in Mézières-en-Brenne around 8 pm (800 km).
April 1st
Joined by my dad we left around 7.30 first to nearby forêt Châteauroux where Grey headed woodpecker should be quite numerous in the old Oak stands Failed to see one, but found Lesser and Middle spotted woodpeckers and Hawfinch.
Drove down the highway via Toulouse to st Gaudens (Pyrenees). Made a few stops to check the many raptors we saw this day. From here (Montréjeau) into the mountains to (Bagnères de) Luchon. And there the winding road up the mountain to Superbagnères (1831 m). Snowstorm limited birding but Snowfinch and Alpine accentor were seen on the mountaintop parking lot and a Golden Eagle at the cascades down hill.
Overnight at st Gaudens (650 km).
April 2nd
Left at 7.30 via D117 St Girons, Foix then N20 to Les Cabannes and the road uphill to plateau de Beille (at 1700 m. Pyrenees). Lots of snow seriously limited birding, but we saw Crossbill, Coal tit and Treecreeper.
Lunched at the base of the mountain at Pech where it was sunny and warm. We saw two good species here: a male Rock bunting and a Green Sharpei woodpecker calling in top of a tree. Drove back to D117, returning east to Lavelanet, but turning off the route before town towards Montségur (with Short toed eagle and Dipper) and to the gorges de Frau reached by a small road behind Fougax. Splendid (snow free) area with impressive cliffs beside the path, but noisy rumbling avalanches and stones dropping just meters besides us were kind of freaky. Excellent views of 2 Wallcreepers together were the reward and an adult Lammergeier was gliding around the mountain top.
Left late to arrive at 9 PM in a beachside hotel at Leucate (350 km).
April 3rd
Spring migration spot Cap Leucate in the morning. Very nice spot with a beautiful, thyme-odoured landscape, good views and a couple of 100 migrants, but highlights were the Great spotted cuckoo and Woodchat shrike that both gave crippling views as did the many Sardinian warblers. Drove the D27 east and looked for Spotless starling in Caves (source from French internet site I forgot), we found 4 amongst Starlings. The barren landscape between Treilles and Feuilla offered superb views of Thekla lark, Blue rock trush and Dartford warbler with 3 calling Short-toed eagles overhead. Lunched at Lapalma saltpans with few birds. However Purple heron, Great white egret, Kentish plover, Avocet among others were added to the list.
Went to Gruissan but only visited la Clape at les Monges for Bonelli’s eagle. Didn’t see one, but many Sardinian warblers and a male Blue rock trush. To étang de Pissevaches where we found 3 Slender-billed gulls. A small bird landed in a bush. A splendid male Redstart. Along the small road D718 to Fleury we found a group of Rock sparrows at the telegraphline. Good day and we all liked this area very much and may return in the future. Arrived in Arles at 8.30 (200 km).
April 4th
Camarguë. Drove to St Maries de la mer and had a lucky seawatch with almost any species you want to see scanning the waves. Took the road along Impériaux turning into dirtroad towards Méjanes slowly birding the shoreline, then visited la Capelière and ticked most wading and waterbirds, including Lesser flamingo and Sacred ibis. Three territorial males Yellow wagtails belonged to the Cinereocapilla form.
Left northwest in the afternoon for étangs Scamandre and Charnier (purple gallinule, glossy ibis have been reported in this area). We overlooked these immense reedbeds (lots of Marsh harriers and hirundines) from Franquevaux and pont des Tourradons. Siberian chiffchaff called a lot and showed well (source oiseauxprovence & Jay Michel). Furthermore Whiskered terns and Red crested pochards, 100s of Cattle egret and Black winged stilt and hirundines. This area has a lot of potential, but is difficult to master. Evening light is best. At the latter spot bad luck stroke and the car broke down. A local gentleman drove us to a hotel at dusk in nearby Vauvert. A lot of species this day (200 km).
April 5th
Went to pont des Tourradons for the car to get towed to a garage in Vauvert. When the car still wasn’t fixed by twelve (just before the 2 hour lunchbreak) we rented a car in Vauvert and drove to la Crau.
At the N568 to Fos you can stop at a sign of conservation of the Crau at Mas d’Icart (source Aristide Parisod), where Lesser kestrels breed (stay near the sign and don’t disturb the colony). Here we spotted 2 pairs of Lesser kestrels during lunch, with beautiful adult males continuously hovering, dropping down and sitting on the ground. Following a male Lesser kestrel found us a male Little bustard, Stone curlew, Southern grey shrike and 22 Pin tailed sandgrouse! calling and flying past at close range. Some km before this good spot we already stopped along the N568, thinking we were there. At that point we saw 2 Woodchat shrikes, a Southern grey shrike and a Short-toed eagle.
Then we went to la Jasse at the N113 in the north of the Crau and stopped at the edge of the expanse. We climbed the rabbit hill and here an adult Bonelli’s eagle took off with his rabbit just tens of meters in front. Gliding very low over the ground it landed a 200 m. away. Wow!
Many Stone curlews were calling as were Red partridge. 2 Short-toed larks were on the path, a Southern grey shrike in a bush and a Little owl in the orchard.
At the southern edge of Eyguières airport towards the carting track, we really enjoyed the Stone curlews that started displaying, flying and walking around in the early evening and had territorial disputes. A nice group of 12 Little bustards (2 male) flew by and landed on the open airstrip. Slept in Vauvert again. Few species but very rewarding ones and beautiful landscape (200 km).
April 6th
Picked up the car and drove the highway to Montpellier and Millau. Left the highway into the gorges de la Jonte D996. Here we lunched at panorama des vautours where indeed the vultures were circling above us. Fantastic spot with lots of griffons and ravens soaring above you and pretty close too. Closest of all came a juvenile Black vulture glided just tens of meters ahead. Lots of raptors along the highway to the Brenne where we arrived at 7. A nice 20 degrees and no wind, so we had dinner outside. Slept at Mezières en Brenne (600 km).
April 7th
Went to see the male Lesser scaup at la Gabrière in the Brenne at daybreak. Very good views showing all caracters. Also added Osprey and Little gull flying over the lake and more common species like Common sandpiper, Gadwall, Tufted duck and Cormorant to the list. Lots of songbirds, mainly Blackcap and Song thrush. Cuckoos calling
Drove back to Holland at 11 am. Huge traffic mess near Orléans. Navigated a route over landroads that spared us of 50 km traffic jam and also added a species to the list: a male Hen harrier (19 raptors). Back in sunny and warm Holland at 8pm (800 km).
In total we drove about 3,800 km. That amount can bring you into Spain from Holland, so that brought up ideas for next year’s destination.
Migration
Raptor migration was pretty good on April 1st (only day with Sw wind) with 50 Black Kites, 2 Red kite, Marsh harrier, Merlin, Hobby, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Short toed eagle, Booted eagle, and also Hoopoe and Swallows. A Cuckoo flying in the snow crossing the Pyrenees on April 1st was a strong image.
On April 3rd we visited spring migration hotspot Leucate and with northern wind we witnessed many Swallows flying close by just centimetres above the ground. Spectacular. Also some 30 Swifts (but sadly no Pallid or Alpine), tens of Linnet and Serin, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, 1 Woodlark, Meadowpipit, 1 Tawny pipit, 2 Gannets and 10 Hoopoes.
On April 4 we spend a half hour (from 8 am) seawatching at St Maries de la mer. This was surprisingly good with strong northern winds: 4 Razorbill, 1 Black throated loon, 12 Balaeric shearwater, 2 Scopoli’s (Cory’s) shearwater, 15 Gannet, Great crested grebe, 2 Common scoters, several Yellow legged gulls and Sandwich terns were passing by eastwards.
Waders were few everywhere (except for Black winged stilt, Avocet and Stone curlew, locally common), as were terns and ducks.
Small migrants found in coastal bushes were mostly Robin, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
In total we saw 176 species, including 2 subspecies and 5 escape/feral category.
Returning summer birds
My earliest Cuckoo (1/4), Melodious warbler (4/4) and Swift (1/4) ever.
Hirundines, Hoopoe, Short-toed eagle and Black kite were back in good numbers.
However many species we almost counted on hadn’t returned, or just were not seen by us: Nightingale, Alpine & Pallid swift, Night heron, Subalpine warbler, Bonelli’s warbler to name a few. This was probably due to bad weather in Spain, snow at the Pyrenees, northernlies and generally low pressure.
Wintering species:
Siberian chiffchaff, Lesser scaup, mountain birds and seabirds were among the species easier found in winter. Ducks were already hard to find and geese, crane, swans, eagles absent.
New species:
New for all of us: Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Thekla lark, Balearic and Scopoli’s shearwaters and the Sharpei subspecies of Green woodpecker. Cinereocapilla form of Yellow wagtail
New for dad: Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Wallcreeper, Sardinian warbler (10)
New for me: Lesser kestrel, Lammergeier, Southern grey shrike, Spotless starling (10)
New for John: Lesser kestrel, Lammergeier, Golden eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, Monk vulture, Griffon vulture, Dartford warbler, Rock bunting, Rock sparrow, Blue rock thrush, Slender-billed gull, Lesser scaup (18)
1. Black throated loon, Plongeon artique: 1 flying east at St Maries de la mer 4/4
2. Crested grebe, Grèbe huppé: some at étang Vaccarès and past st Maries dl mer 4/4
3. Black necked grebe, Grèbe a cou noir: a dozen at Vaccarès 4/4
4. Little grebe, Grèbe castagneux, 2 at Vaccarerès, seen from la Capelière 4/4.
5. Scopoli’s shearwater, Puffin cendré (diomedea): 2 seen from st Maries de la mer 4/4
6. Balaeric shearwater, Puffin baleare (mauretanicus): a group of 12 past st Maries de la mer 4/4
7. Gannet, Fou de bassan: 2 past Leucate 3/4,about 15 at st Maries de la mer 4/4
8. Cormorant, Grand cormoran: several in the Brenne 7/4
9. Cattle egret, Aigrette gardeboeuf: 100s, especially near Franquevaux 4/4 and D117 2/4
10. Little egret, Aigrette garzette: common in the south seen 1,3,4,7/4
11. Great egret. Grand aigrette: 2 at salin Lapalme 3/4, 1 in Camarguë 4/4, 2 in Brenne
12. Grey heron, Heron cendré: a few apparent migrants in the Pyrenees and some in Camarguë
13. Purple heron, Heron pourpré: 4 at salin de Lapalme, 3/4, 4 Scamandre & Charnier 4/4
14. White stork, Cigogne blanche: 1 nesting at La Capelière 4/4
15. Spoonbill, Spatule blanche: 1 flying over étang Impériaux 4/4
16. Flamingo, Flamant rose: 100s Camarguë 4/4, 2 étang Leucate 2/4
17. Lesser flamingo, Flamant nain: 1 sleepwalking at Impériaux 4/4
18. Sacred ibis, Ibis sacré: 1 flying over Impériaux 4/4
19. Swan, Cygne tuberculé: several in Camarguë and Brenne
20. Canada goose, Bernache du Canada: Brenne
21. Shelduck, Tadorne de Belon: Leucate 3/4 and Camarguë 4/4 Montpellier 6/4
22. Mallard, Canard colvert: common
23. Gadwall, Canard chipeau: Brenne only, 6&7/4
24. Shoveler, Canard souchet: male at Vaccarès 4/4, Brenne 7/4
25. Teal, Sarcelle d’hiver: some 20 at la Capelière 4/4
26. Red crested pochard, Nette rousse: 2 at étang Charnier and 2 flying there 4/4
27. Pochard, Fuligule milouin: female at Vaccarès 4/4, Brenne 7/4
28. Tufted duck, Fuligule morillon: Brenne 7/4
29. Lesser scaup, Fuligule a tête noir: étang Gabrière, Brenne 7/4
30. Scoter, Macreuse noire: 2 past St Maries de la mer 4/4
31. Red breasted merganser, Harle huppé: 3 at Impériaux 4/4
32. Black kite, Milan noir: seen daily, total ca 100, 50 on 1/4
33. Red kite, Milan royal: 4, 2 on 1/4 and 2 on 6/4
34. Lammergeier, Gypaète barbu: adult above gorges de Frau 2/4
35. Black vulture, Vautour moine: 2 at le Truël 6/4
36. Griffon vulture, Vautour fauve: 40 at le Truël 6/4
37. Marsh harrier, Busard des roseaux: singles at 1,3,4/4. Many at Charnier.Scamandre
38. Hen harrier, Busard Saint-Martin: male at Allaines 7/4
39. Sparrowhawk, Épervier d’Europe: 4 on 1 & 6/4
40. Buzzard, Buse variable: total ca 100 especially on 1 & 6/4
41. Golden eagle, Aigle royal: 2ndCY at Luchon cascades 1/4
42. Bonelli’s eagle, Aigle de Bonelli: adult with prey at la Jasse 5/4
43. Booted eagle, Aigle botté: dark adult on 1/4
44. Short toed eagle, Circaète Jean-le-Blanc, total 10, 3 Feuilla on 3/4 and 3 Crau on 5/4
45. Osprey, Balbusard pêcheur: 1 above Gabrière 7/4
46. Hobby, Faucon hobereau: 1 over forêt Châteauroux 1/4
47. Merlin, Faucom émerillon: male over Montréjeau 1/4
48. Peregrine, Faucon pèlerin: 1 over highway near Souillac 1/4
49. Kestrel, Faucon crécerelle: common
50. Lesser kestrel, Faucon crécerellette : 4 at Mas d’Icart 5/4
51. Red legged partridge, Perdix rouge: common. Very common Crau north of N113
52. Pheasant, few in Camarguë 4/4 and 1 in Pyrenees 2/4
53. Water Rail, Râle d’eau: 1 at La Capelière 4/4
54. Moorhen, Gallinule poule d’eau : 20 at la Capelière 4/4, few elsewhere
55. Coot, Foulque macroule: very common in the large marshes 3 & 4/4
56. Little bustard, Outarde canepetière: 1 N568, 3 la Jasse, 12 Eyguières airport 5/4
57. Oystercatcher, Huîtrier pie: 6 at Impériaux 4/4
58. Stone curlew, Oedicnème criard: 30 in the Crau, very vocal especially on Eyguières airport in the evening 5/4
59. Black winged stilt, Échasse blanche: numerous in the Camarguë 4/4
60. Avocet, Avocette élégante: ca 300 at Impériaux 4/4, 2 at salin Lapalme 3/4
61. Kentish plover, Gravelot a collier interrompu: ca 40 in the Camarguë and 5 Lapalme
62. Ringed plover, Grand Gravelot: 10 Impériaux 4/4
63. Little ringed plover, Petit Gravelot: displaying over highway near Toulouse 1/4
64. Lapwing, Vanneau huppé: 4 in the Camarguë 4/4
65. Grey plover, Pluvier argenté: 1 at Impériaux 4/4
66. Ruff, Combattant varié: 1 at la Capelière 4/4
67. Little stint, Bécasseau minute: ca 50 at Impériaux 4/4
68. Curlew, Courlis cendré: some at Impériaux 4/4
69. Black tailed godwit, Barge à queue noire: pair (Dutch race) at la Capelière 4/4
70. Redshank, Chevalier gambette: some in Camarguë 4/4
71. Spotted redshank, Chevalier arlequin: 6 Impériaux, 1 la Capelière 4/4
72. Wood sandpiper, Chevalier sylvain: 1 at la Capelière 4/4
73. Green sandpiper, Chevalier culblanc: 12 Camarguë 4/4
74. Common sandpiper, Chevalier guignette: 1 at Gabrière 7/4
75. Snipe, Bécassine des marais: 20 la Capelière and elsewhere in Camarguë 4/4
76. Mediterranean gull, Mouette mélanocephale: 100 D570 Mas de Pioch 4/4, 2 Brenne
77. Slender billed gull, Goéland railleur: 3 at Pissevaches 3/4, 2 at Impériaux 4/4
78. Little gull, Mouette pygmée: 2 at Gabrière 7/4
79. Black headed gull, Mouette rieuse: very common
80. Yellow legged gull, Goéland leucophée: common south, inland to Millau and Toulouse
81. Sandwich tern, Sterne caugek: 10s at Pissevaches 3/4 and st Maries de la mer 4/4
82. Whiskered tern, Guifette moustac: 30 at pont des Tourradons 4/4
83. Razorbill, Pingouin torda: 4 past St Maries de la mer 4/4
84. Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Ganga cata: 22 along N568 5/4
85. Wood pigeon, Pigeon ramier : common
86. Stock dove, Pigeon columbin: a few on 1 & 6/4 Nesting in the cliffs at le Truël.
87. Collared dove, Touterelle turque: common
88. Diamond dove, 1 on a telegraph wire at Franquevaux 4/4
89. Cuckoo, Coucou gris: flying over snow, Superbagnères 1/4. Many calling Brenne 7/4
90. Great spotted cuckoo, Coucou geai: close range adult at cap Leucate 3/4
91. Tawny owl, Chouette hulote: calling Brenne 6/4
92. Little owl, Chouette chevêche: 1 at la Jasse 5/4. Same habitat as found in Holland! Orchard grazed by sheep.
93. Swift, Martinet noir: some 30 past cap Leucate 3/4. Unidentified swift at dusk in st Gaudens 1/4 might have been a Pallid.
94. Hoopoe, Huppe fasciée: first at 1/4 total ca 20. 10 of which at cap Leucate 3/4
95. Black woodpecker, Pic noir: 1 at gorges de Frau 2/4
96. Green woodpecker, Pic vert: calling at almost every location
97. Green Sharpei woodpecker: found a calling bird at Pech 2/4. Clearly saw the missing black eyemask, which is grey instead. Noticed the bird by it’s (slightly) aberrant song
98. Great spotted woodpecker, Pic épeiche: common
99. Lesser spotted woodpecker, Pic épeichette: 1 drumming bird at forêt Châteauroux 1/4
100. Middle spotted woodpecker, Pic mar: 1 bird gave good views at forêt Châteauroux 1/4
101. Skylark, Alouette des champs: uncommon, only singing lark
102. Wood lark, Alouette lulu: 1 past cap Leucate 3/4
103. Thekla lark. Cochevis Thékla: pair very close, before Feuilla 3/4
104. Crested lark, Cochevis huppé: common at Leucate and st Maries de la mer
105. Short-toed lark, Alouette calandrelle: 2 at la Jasse 5/4
106. Sand martin, Hirondelle de rivage : amongst 100s of Swallows, Charnier 4/4
107. Crag martin, Hirondelle de rochers: total 15 seen 1,2,6/4
108. Swallow, Hirondelle rustique: 100s past Leucate and above Charnier
109. House martin, Hirondelle de fenêtre: 10s Leucate and Charnier
110. Tawny pipit, Pipit rousseline: 1 past Leucate 3/4
111. Meadow pipit, Pipit farlouse: several 2,3,4,5/4
112. White throated dipper, Cincle plongeur : 3 in Pyrenees 3/4
113. Water pipit, Pipit spioncelle : plateau de Beille 2/4
114. Yellow wagtail, Bergeronnette printanière. Males seen well in the Camarguë on 4/4 were of the Cinereocapilla form. Unidentified male flew over Lapalme 3/4
115. Grey wagtail, Bergeronnette des ruisseaux. Several 1,2,6/4
116. White wagtail, Bergeronnette grise. Common.
117. Wren, Troglodyte mignon: common.
118. Dunnock, Accenteur mouchet: several.
119. Alpine accentor, Accenteur alpin : 8 at Superbagnères 1/4
120. Robin, Rougegorge familier : very common
121. Redstart, Rougequeue à front blanc, 1 male at Pissevaches 3/4
122. Black redstart, Rougequeue noir, common
123. Stonechat, Tarier pâtre: 2 at Montréjeau 1/4, Brenne 7/4
124. Blue rock thrush, Merle blue: pair near Treuilles, male les Monges 3/4
125. Blackbird, Merle noir: common (but less so in south)
126. Song thrush, Grive musicienne: common in Brenne (due to wet spring)
127. Mistle thrush, Grive draine: several Brenne and Pyrenees.
128. Cetti’s warbler, Bouscarle de Cetti : every marsh, especially la Capelière.
129. Zitting Cisticola, Cisticole des joncs : pretty common in the south.
130. Sedge warbler, Phragmite des joncs: 1 Charnier 5/4, 2 Chérine 7/4
131. Melodious warbler, Hypolaïs polyglotte : 1 early bird at la Capelière 4/4
132. Chiffchaff, Pouillot velocé: common
133. Siberian Chiffchaff, Pouillot de Sibérie : 1 seen and calling at Franquevaux 4/4
134. Dartford warbler, Fauvette pitchou: 2 singing in top of bush near Treilles 3/4
135. Sardinian warbler, Fauvette mélanocéphale : locally common, mediterranean.
136. Blackcap, fauvette à tête noir : very common
137. Firecrest, Roitelet triplebandeau : several singing Châteauroux, Pyrenees,Truël
138. Bearded reedling, Panure à moustaches: 2 Vaccarès, seen from la Capelière 4/4
139. Marsh tit, Mésange nonnette: Brenne and Pyrenees
140. Crested tit, Mésange huppé: Châteauroux and Pyrenees
141. Coal tit, Mésange noire: plateau de Beille 2/4
142. Blue tit, Mésange blue : common
143. Great tit, Mésange charbonnière : common
144. Long-tailed tit, Mésange à longue queue: several
145. Nuthatch, Sitelle torchepot : several Châteauroux, Truël
146. Wallcreeper, Tichodrome échelette: 2 at gorges de Frau 2/4
147. Treecreeper, Grimpereau des bois: 1 at plateau de Beille
148. Short-toed treecreeper, Grimpereau des jardins : common
149. Woodchat shrike, Pie-grièche à tête rousse : 1 Leucate 3/4, 2 Crau 5/4.
150. Southern grey shrike, Pie-grièche méridionale: 3 Crau 5/4
151. Starling, Étourneau sansonnet: common
152. Spotless starling, Étourneau unicolor : 4 with Starlings at Caves 3/4
153. Jay, Geai des chênes : several
154. Magpie, Pie bavarde : very common
155. Jackdaw, Choucas des tours : very common
156. Alpine Chough, Chocard à bec jaune : 2 at gorges de Frau 2/4
157. Chough, Crave à bec rouge : 60 Luchon 1/4, 4 le Truël 6/4
158. Raven, Grand corbeau : all cliffs and mountain. Ca 20 at le Truël
159. Carrion crow, Corneille noir: common
160. Rook, Corbeau freux: common, but less so in the south.
161. Tree sparrow, Moineau friquet: 6 at pont des Tourradons 4/4
162. House sparrow, Moineau domestique : very common
163. Rock sparrow, Moineau soulci : group 14 at Fleury 3/4
164. Snowfinch, Niverolle alpine: 1 at Superbagnères 1/4
165. Chaffinch, Pinson des arbres: very common
166. Serin, Serin cini: everywhere, but most common Leucate-Gruissan
167. Greenfinch, Verdier d’Europe: common
168. Goldfinch, Chardonneret elegant. Not common
169. Linnet, Linotte mélodieuse: common Leucate
170. Crossbill, Bec-croisé des sapins : 6 at Plateau de Beille 2/4
171. Bullfinch, Bouvreuil pivoine : 1 at Pech 2/4, 1 Brenne 7/4
172. Hawfinch, Grosbec casse-noyaux : 1 at forêt Châteauroux 1/4
173. Yellowhammer, Bruant jaune: 2 at plateau de Beille 2/4, 2 Brenne 7/4
174. Cirl bunting, Bruant zizi : common
175. Rock bunting, Bruant fou: male at Pech 2/4
176. Corn bunting, Bruant proyer: 4 at Leucate 3/4