Saturday 27th May
Étang Massé
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| A very loud Reed Warbler |
Étang Foucault
Notable for the numerous nesting Blank-winged Stilts
Really pleased to record the "AC Milan" bug properly known as Striped Shield Bug, Graphosoma lineatum
During a comfort stop Jason found a Swift in the middle of the car park entrance, obviously in distress as it had lain in the full sun for some minutes. We placed it on a wall in the shade of a tree - possibly good news as when we returned half an hour later it had gone - hopefully recovered. What was surprising for everyone was just how large this bird is.
Chateau Romefort
Another great picnic by the river topped with a great fly-by of a Black Woodpecker - lunch on lap, camera on floor. Never mind it didn't stop for a shot. |
| The boathouse looks quite nice.... |
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| ....but no comparison with the main residence |
Ciron
We visited the Bee Eater colony and plenty were home - just a long way off. Wonderful to hear their unmistakeable call.
Étang Purais
Nice to get just a bit closer to Whiskered Terns
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| Blue-tailed Damselfly |
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| Four-spot Chaser |
Lizard Orchids were popping up everywhere.
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| At last a decent Southern White Admiral underwing shot |
Sunday 28th May
Étang de la Sous
As promised a return to the Etang de la Sous, this time a pre sunrise affair to avoid all those other birders. Sod's law that today there would be a heavy mist and of course an east facing hide is not the best for a decent photograph.
Suddenly I had 9 Black-necked Grebes in front of me, what an opportunity, it was at this point I realised the best thing to do was put the camera down and admire the birds.
Finally the sun rose and I was able to record some of the activity.
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| Red-Crested Pochard |
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| Red-Crested Pochard |
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| Red-Crested Pochard |
Saulnay
At the end of a derelict orchard we found a Woodlark which sat in this tree all the time we were present. By the way the dark red cherries that hung over the fence into the road were delicious.
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| Cracking Cornflowers |
Marais de l'Ozance
A search for the extremely scarce Brenne Orchid, Dactylorhiza brennensis paid dividends
Étang Vieux
A walk around the pond gave a Common Clubtail, a single Western Clubtail and Variable Damselflies in good numbers. |
| Common Clubtail |
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| Common Clubtail |
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| Common Clubtail |
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| Western Clubtail |
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| Variable Damselfly |
Terre de Picadon
Our final visit, a marshy venue and with the heat it felt like being in a sauna - very humid. We saw more Lilypad Whiteface but by the time I had deployed a longer lens they had vanished. |
| Broad Scarlet |
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| Broad Scarlet |
Time to call it a day and retire to the hotel for a refreshing brew.
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