Birding Beaumonts

113 species were identified at Beaumonts this year, a respectable total although lower than in recent years. No new species was added to the list and several were notable by their absence such as Red Kite, Common Gull, Common Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Water Pipit and Marsh Warbler. Tree Sparrow and Cirl Bunting, both regularly occurring species until just a few years ago, were not recorded in 2015. 

There were, however, some notable events: the occurrence of a Black Woodpecker on three mornings in April was exceptional, and a pair of Stonechats was present for four consecutive days at the end of March. Also of note were three more records of Great Egret, a good showing of waders, up to two long-staying Red-backed Shrikes in early autumn and the first breeding record of Crested Tit.

During spring and autumn a total of 267 hours of “skywatching” was made from the Cascade, the highest point in Montreuil. This was a reduction of 28% on last year, although relatively more raptors were observed on migration (165 birds, 10% fewer than in 2014).

The decision taken by the authorities in late 2014 to clear woodland and bushes from the core area of the park and restore a more open prairie habitat has had less of a negative impact as was initially feared. Pairs of Garden Warblers that traditionally breed here simply moved to another nearby area, although there is no longer the required habitat in the park now for the breeding of Nightingale.     

In September the bushy, weedy areas of the Compost were completely razed by the authorities in charge of the park. Although reducing areas of cover for passage migrants some species, most notably Northern Wheatear, Common Redstart and Red-backed Shrike, all seemed to profit from this newly cleared area.

The Compost was severly cut in the autumn... 

Observers at Parc des Beaumonts in 2015:

LB=Laure Boissin  -  MC=Michel Colombe  -  SX=Suzanne Cox  -  QD=Quentin Dubost  -  YF=Yves Fleury-Collet  -   IG=Isabelle Giraud  -  CG=Christian Gloria  -  DG=Didier Godreau    TG=Tobias Grey  -  IM=Isabelle Merle  -  OL=Olivier Laporte  -  GM=Gaell Mainguy   DM=Danièle Monier  -  OM=Olivier Muller  -  EO=Emeline Oudin  -  RP=Roland Paul  -  PP=Philippe Pirard  -  VP=Vincent Ponelle   TP=Thomas Puaud  -  PM=Philip Redman  BR=Bruno Roger  PR=Pierre Rousset  -  PT=Pascale Ruet  -  RS=Romain Saudubois    DT=David Thorns

SYSTEMATIC LIST 



C = Captive (escape)   

E = Summer Visitor   

F = Feral    


H = Winter Visitor   

M = Migrant   

S = Resident




Great Cormorant (Grand cormoran) Phalacrocorax carbo  S M



Noted once in winter : 2, 18th January [PR].  

Recorded regularly in spring, on 18 dates from 8th February to 13th May, with a small peak of 33 on 23rd March.

Noted in autumn from 29th July. Recorded regularly up to 14th November with a daily maximum of 319 flying south on 11th October [DT].



Grey Heron (Héron cendré) Ardea cinerea  S M



A rather disappointing year with relatively few reports. Single birds noted irregularly flying over between 7th March and 1st November.

As was the case last year, rare on site (just one sighting of an individual at the Mare Perchée on 14th April [DT]).

 

Great Egret  (Grande aigrette)  Casmerodius albus  M

Recorded flying over the park on three dates in autumn.  

3, 29th August [DT]  -  2, 21st September [DT]  -  1, 31st October [DT].

C.albus has now been recorded for four consecutive years, in keeping with its expansion in northwestern Europe.

Photo: D.Thorns, 29th August 2015

White Stork (Cigogne blanche) Ciconia ciconia  M



Observed migrating over the park on six dates (three in spring and three in autumn).

2, 5th April [DT]  -  2, 10th May [DT] - 1, 30th May [DT].

1, 29th August [DT]  -  5, 19th September [PR/DT]  -  19, 26th September [PR/DT].

Photo: D.Thorns, 26th September 2015

Black Stork  (Cigogne noire)  Ciconia nigra  M

Observed migrating over the park on two dates (once in spring and once in autumn).

1, 10th May [DT].

1, 16th August [DT].



Mute Swan  (Cygne tuberculé)  Cygnus olor   S

1, 3rd October [DT].

The bird flew over the park to the southwest early in the morning.



Greylag Goose (Oie cendrée) Anser anser   M



Observed migrating over the park on three dates (once in  spring and twice in autumn).

3, 7th March [PR].

60, 31st October [DT]  -  45, 1st November [PR].

 

Canada Goose (Bernache du Canada) Branta canadensis  F



Observed flying overhead on six dates in spring.

2, 26th March [DT]  -  2, 3rd April [DT]  -  4, 8th April [DT]  -  3, 9th April [DT]  -  2, 18th April [DT]  -  2, 20th April [DT].

Photo: D.Thorns, 9th April 2015

 

Mallard (Canard colvert) Anas platyrhynchos  S M



A disappointing year. From one to five birds (four males and one female) observed daily at the beginning of the breeding season from 1st April to 23rd May.

A pair was settled at the Mare Perchée by the middle of April. However breeding attempts in spring were once again unsuccessful, most probably due to the irresponsibility of dog-walkers allowing their dogs to run around freely and to enter the water. Unfortunately the absence of any authority on site to enforce park rules will always be detrimental to this species which has nevertheless managed to breed successfully twice in recent years.



Osprey (Balbuzard pecheur) Pandion haliaetus  M



Recorded migrating over the park on three dates (two in spring and one in autumn).



1, 11th April [DT]  -  1, 26th April [DT]

3, 25th September [PR].

 

Black Kite (Milan noir)  Milvus migrans  M



Observed on four dates in spring.  



1, 1st April [DT]  -  1, 6th April [DT]  -  1, 17th April [DT]  -  1, 23rd May [DT].

 

Marsh Harrier (Busard des roseaux)  Circus aeruginosus  M



Noted flying over the park on ten dates (four in spring and six in autumn). At least 32 birds are involved.


6, 6th April  -  1, 10th April  -  1, 22nd April  -  1, 25th April.

1, 23rd August  -  1, 2nd September  -  1, 5th September  -  4, 6th September  -  13, 19th September  -  3, 10th October.

Marsh Harrier : migration 2015 (source: www.trektellen.org)

Hen Harrier  (Busard Saint-Martin)  Circus cyaneus  M


 

Recorded on three dates in autumn.

1, 27th September [LB/SX/DT]  -  1, 3rd October [DT]  -  1, 7th November [DT].

Photo: D.Thorns. 7th November 2015

Common Buzzard  (Buse variable)  Buteo buteo  M



Noted on 27 dates (eight in spring and 19 in autumn). At least 58 birds are involved. 



Spring passage noted from 22nd February to 30th May with a daily maximum of five on 5th April [DT].

Recorded in autumn from 23rd August to 15th November with a daily maximum of seven on 31st October [SX/DT].

Photo : D.Thorns, 7th November 2015

Common Buzzard : migration 2015 (source: www.trektellen.org)



Honey-buzzard (Bondrée apivore) Pernis apivorus  M



Observed migrating over the park on 24 dates (six in spring and 18 in autumn). In spring, daily maximum of six on 9th May. In autumn, maximum of 11 on 29th August. At least 54 birds are involved.


1, 25th April  -  6, 9th May  -  1, 10th May  -  1, 12th May  -  1, 25th May  -  1, 30th May. 

1, 30th July  -  1, 1st - 2nd August  -  1, 14th August  -  2, 15th August  -  6, 16th August  -  1, 19th August  -  1, 22nd – 23rd August  -  11, 29th August  -  8, 30th August  -  1, 2nd September  -  2, 5th September  -  3, 6th September  -  1, 10th September  -  1, 19th September  -  2, 20th September  -  1, 27th September.

Photo: D.Thorns, 9th May 2015

The observations from 30th July to 2nd August relate probably to the same “local” bird which flew low around the site and landed at least once in the woodland in the southwestern sector of the park [PR/TP/DT].



Honey-buzzard : migration 2015 (source www.trektellen.org)

[Unidentified larger raptors] (Grands rapaces non identifié)



Seventeen unidentified larger raptors were observed on nine  dates (three birds in spring and 14 in autumn).

 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk  (Epervier d’Europe) Accipiter nisus  S



Recorded almost daily (usually 1-3 individuals) throughout the year. Breeding confirmed with the begging calls of juveniles heard and an adult carrying prey to the Bois du Bordure (12th July [PR]).  

In spring and (especially) autumn small numbers occasionally noted on migration during skywatches.

 

Eurasian Kestrel  (Faucon crécerelle)  Falco tinnunculus  S M



Breeding in the immediate vicinity of the park, 1-3 birds (usually one) noted almost daily. Although the vast majority of sightings refer to local birds, some were apparently in active migration (for example, two flying south on 10th October [DT]).

 

Eurasian Hobby (Faucon hobereau) Falco subbuteo E M



Up to two birds noted occasionally in spring, summer and autumn.



First recorded in spring on 3rd May. Noted on just three further dates to 30th May.

Hunting around the park observed fairly often in autumn from 14th August. A bird noted flying south with prey (probably a Common Swift Apus apus) on 16th August [DT].

Last autumn sighting on 3rd October [DT]. 




 

Peregrine Falcon (Faucon pèlerin) Falco peregrinus  R M



The presence of breeding birds in and around Paris in recent years has made the species less of a rarity. Observations usually involve lone individuals apparently wandering aimlessly high in the sky.

Fewer records this year – noted on three dates.

1, 18th March [DT]  -  1, 16th August [PR/DT]  -  1, 8th November [DT].

 

Merlin (Faucon émerillon) Falco columbarius  M



A good year - migrating birds noted flying over the park on four dates (one in spring and three in autumn).

1, 21st April [DT].

1, 18th October [PR/DT]  -  1, 25th October [DT]  -  1, 5th November [DT].

 

Common Moorhen (Poule d’eau) Gallinula chloropus  S



A familiar resident breeding species with 1-7 birds observed almost daily throughout the year.
 Breeding confirmed at both of the park’s ponds.

A nest containing five eggs found at the Mare de Bas on 26th April, with a chick observed there on 23rd May [DT].

At the Mare Perchée an adult and three chicks observed on 11th June [PR]. Successive broods there with a chick and juveniles noted in close company on 26th June [PR].

 Photo: P.Rousset, 26th June 2015

Unfortunately the healthy population of rats at the Mare Perchée continues unabated and is probably responsible for the loss of several fledglings each year.

 

Common Crane  (Grue cendré)  Grus grus  M

Rare passage migrant. One observation in winter.

9, 18th January [PR].

The flock was first noticed at 16h10 flying low to the north, the birds proceeding to circle and gain height before eventually disappearing to the east – it constitutes the first January record for Beaumonts.

 

Northern Lapwing (Vanneau huppé)  Vanellus vanellus  H M



Seen flying over the park in small groups on eight dates (two in spring and six in autumn).

96, 7th March [PR]  -  278, 8th March [PR].

1, 5th July [DT].

25, 20th September [PR/DT]  -  1, 25th September [PR]  -  c30, 25th October [DT]  -  c30, 1st November [PR]  -  37, 8th November [DT].

 

Eurasian Golden Plover  (Pluvier doré)  Pluvalis aricaria  H M

Seen flying over the park on four dates (one in spring and three in autumn).

2, 7th March [PR].

8, 3rd November [DT]  -  4, 7th November [DT]  -  17, 11th November [DT].

 

Common Redshank (Chevalier gambette)  Tringa totanus  M
 
One observation in spring.
 
1, 26th May [DT].

This was only the second record for Beaumonts. The flew high to the north, early in the morning.

Photo: D.Thorns, 26th May 2015

 

Black-tailed Godwit  (Barge à queue noire)  Limosa limosa  M  

One observation in early spring.

1, 12th March [PR].

The bird flew to the northeast during the afternoon.

 

Courlis cendré  (Courlis cendré)  Numenius arquata  M

One observation in autumn.

3, 23rd August [DT].

The birds flew south over the park during the afternoon.

Photo: D.Thorns, 23rd August 2015

 

Green Sandpipier  (Chevalier cul-blanc)  Tringa ochropus   M



Observed twice in spring.

5, 6th April [DT]  -  4, 10th April [DT].

 

Eurasian Woodcock (Bécasse des bois) Scolopax rusticola  M H



Observed twice in autumn.

1, 10th October [DT]  -  1, 3rd November [DT].

 

Black-headed Gull (Mouette rieuse) Chroiocephalus ridibundus S M



Low numbers (generally 1-10 birds) observed flying over the park almost daily in winter, early spring and autumn. Uncommon and almost absent from May to late August.

 

Mediterranean Gull  (Mouette mélanocéphale)  Larus melanocephalus  M



Adults observed flying over the park on two dates in early autumn.

1, 3rd July [DT]  -  1, 5th July [DT].

 

Herring Gull (Goéland argenté) Larus argentatus  S M



Small numbers seen irregularly (usually 1-2 birds) in winter, spring and autumn.



 
Yellow-legged Gull  (Goéland leucophée)  Larus michahellis  H M



Probably under-recorded due to the difficulties with identifying large gulls at distance. Another good year – observed on 20 dates (11 in spring and nine in autumn).

In spring noted from 12th April to 25th May with a small peak of nine on 7th May.

Photo: D.Thorns (1st November 2015)

In autumn noted from 5th July to 11th November, with a maximum of 18 on 1st November.



Lesser Black-backed Gull (Goéland brun) Larus fuscus  S M



Fairly common - reported in small numbers in winter, spring and autumn.

 

[Unidentified larger gulls] (Goéland indéterminé) Larus spp     

Unidentified larger gulls regularly noted in small numbers in winter, spring and autumn.

 

Common Tern (Sterne pierregarin) Sterne hirundo  M 



One record in spring.



1, 1st June [DT].

The bird flew east early in the morning, high in the sky and apparently carrying a small fish.  



 

Rock Dove (Pigeon biset)  Columba livia  S



Common resident – seen daily.





 

Stock Dove (Pigeon colombin) Columba oenas  S M



A reasonably common resident, observed quite regularly flying over the park throughout the year in low numbers (usually 1-6 birds). As usual larger groups sometimes noted flying eastwards (especially in February-March).

Breeding possible but unconfirmed – two birds in display flight over the Bois de Bordure on 23rd April [DT].

 

Common Wood-Pigeon (Pigeon ramier) Columba palumbus  S M



Common breeding resident – seen daily. 
Small numbers on site supplemented by local movements of birds flying over the park in diverse directions. In general birds fly to the northeast in the mornings and are seen returning towards Paris later in the afternoons.

Post breeding (from the end of June) groups comprising adults and juveniles regularly noted on the lawns in the northern section of the park. 



Flocks on migration noted in late autumn from 27th October to 5th November, with a maximum of c300 on 27th October [DT].
 

 
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Tourterelle turque) Streptopelia decaocto  S



Fairly common resident. 1-2 birds regularly observed in flight or (more rarely) perched in trees at the Mare Perchée or inside the recycling plant. 


Breeding confirmed – an individual observed on 8th May constructing a nest alongside the Sentier des Vergers, descending regularly to the main path to collect small twigs [DT].

 

Tawny Owl  (Chouette hulotte) Strix aluco  S

Rather rare and irregular at Beaumonts, probably under-recorded.

1, 2nd October [YF].

The bird was heard at around 20h00, in woodland bordering the rue des Charmes.

 

Common Swift (Martinet noir) Apus apus  E M                                     



A common summer visitor, seen daily.



First noted in spring on 15th April [DT]. Fewer birds observed in general in comparison with earlier years (on average about 60 birds in the sky during June-July, with around 150 noted on 5th July [DT]).

Photo: D.Thorns, 1st June 2015

Active migrants in autumn noted from 30th July to 30th August, with a small peak of 67 flying south during the afternoon of 23rd August. Unlike previous years, no records in early September.

 

Rose-ringed Parakeet (Perruche à collier) Psittacula krameri  F 



Reasonably common resident, probably breeding now on site.

Single birds and/or small flocks seen or heard irregularly throughout the year flying noisily over the park, presumably to and from breeding colonies at Parc Montreau and Roissy.  

There has been a disturbing increase in the number of birds landing and feeding on site, particularly in the parc Mabille.

 

Green Woodpecker (Pic vert) Picus viridis S



At least one resident breeding pair in or around the park – seen or heard almost daily throughout the year.


Juvenile noted on 14th June [TP].


 

Black Woodpecker  (Pic noir)  Dryocopus martius  S
Photo: D.Thorns, 9th April 2015

Rare at Beaumonts, the presence of a Black Woodpecker on three mornings in April was exceptional. On each occasion the bird was first noticed by its far-carrying calls*, and eventually seen flying northwards away from the park. The same individual is probably involved.

1, 9th April [DT]  -  1, 14th and 15th April [DT]

*recording: D.Thorns, 14th April 2015

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pic épeiche) Dendrocopos major S



At least one resident breeding pair in or around the park – seen or heard almost daily throughout the year.
Drumming heard on 22nd March [DT].




 

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Pic épeichette) Dendrocopos minor  S



A discreet and rather uncommon resident. Single birds observed irregularly – noted on 12 dates, mostly in the latter half of the year.  

1, 2nd January  -  1, 15th February  -  1, 6th-7th July  -  1, 2nd – 3rd August  -  1, 22nd August  -  1, 22nd and 24th September  -  1, 4th and 11th October  -  1, 11th November

 

Eurasian Wryneck (Torcol) Jynx torquilla M



Very uncommon passage migrant. One observation in autumn.

1, 15th August [DT].



 

Eurasian Skylark (Alouette des champs) Alauda arvensis  M



Reasonably common passage migrant in spring and (especially) autumn, seen or heard flying over the park.



Only recorded once in spring, an individual flying low overhead to the north on 24th April [DT].

Seen or heard regularly in autumn from 9th October to 8th November, with a small peak of 82 on 24th October [PR/DT].

 

Woodlark (Alouette lulu) Lullula arborea  M

H

A regular but rather uncommon passage migrant.

An exceptionally poor year: not noted in spring, and just two records in autumn.

1, 9th October [DT]  -  19, 18th October [PR/DT].

 

Bank Swallow (Hirondelle de rivage) Riparia riparia  E M



Rather uncommon but regular passage migrant in spring and autumn. 



Not recorded in spring.

In autumn up to 12 birds noted on 11 dates from 29th July to 23rd September.



Barn Swallow (Hirondelle de cheminée) Hirundo rustica  E M



Common passage migrant in spring and autumn. Almost absent in summer (June-July). 



First recorded in spring on 4th April [DT]. Up to 39 noted regularly thereafter up to 26th May.

Observed on only four dates in summer, from 1st June to 5th August.

Autumn migrants noted regularly from 5th August to 24th October, with a daily maximum of 184 on 20th September [SX/PR/DT].

 

House Martin (Hirondelle de fenêtre) Delichon urbicum  E M



Fairly common passage migrant in spring and autumn. Small numbers noted irregularly throughout the summer.



First recorded on 15th April [DT]. In spring 1-14 birds noted regularly up to 26th May.

Noted twice in June (the 1st and 22nd).

Small numbers noted fairly regularly in autumn, from 3rd July to 20th September, with a small peak of 29 on 19th September [PM/PR/DT].

 

Meadow Pipit (Pipit farlouse) Anthus pratensis  M


 
A fairly common passage migrant in spring and (especially) autumn.



Migration observed in spring from 12th March [PR] to 28th April, with a daily maximum of 39 on 21st April [DT].

Absent in summer. First noted in autumn on 20th September [DT]. Small numbers observed regularly thereafter until 8th November.  





 

Tree Pipit (Pipit des arbres) Anthus trivialis  M



Reasonably common passage migrant in spring and autumn.



First recorded in spring on 6th April [DT]. 1-2 noted thereafter fairly regularly to 4th May.  

Noted much earlier in autumn than in previous years with a bird flying south on 7th July [DT]. Small numbers noted regularly to 3rd October.

An individual, flushed from the borders of the Mare Perchée at dawn on 30th April, flew to a low branch where it proceeded to sing discretely for roughly two minutes [DT].

 

White Wagtail (Bergeronnette grise) Motacilla alba M



A fairly common passage migrant in spring and autumn.



First reported in spring on 12th March. Small numbers noted thereafter to 26th April, with a maximum of nine on 1st April.  

Absent in summer. Noted regularly in autumn from 26th September to 3rd November, with a small peak of 8 on 10th October.

 

Blue-headed Wagtail (Bergeronnette printanière) Motacilla flava flava  M


 
Fairly common passage migrant noted in spring and autumn.



First reported in spring on 6th April. Small numbers (1-7 birds) noted regularly up to and including 10th May.

Unusually an individual landed briefly at the Mare Perchee on 21st April.  

1-9 birds recorded on 13 dates in autumn from 23rd August to 21st September.  

 

Grey Wagtail (Bergeronnette des ruisseaux) Motacilla cinerea  S M



A rather uncommon and irregular non-breeding resident and passage migrant.



Contrary to previous years, noted regularly on site during the first half of the year. Present as early as the 1st January when an individual was found moving across the icy surface of the Mare Perchee [PR]. Noted thereafter almost daily until 15th February.

Observed in flight several times in late May carrying food from the park towards a presumed nest site in the town center [DT].

Photo: P.Rousset, 1st January 2015

Recorded once in July (the 25th [DT]).

Observed on several occasions on site during September and early November: M cinerea seems particularly attracted to the standing water inside the re-cycling plant bordering the park.

 

Winter Wren (Troglodyte mignon) Troglodytes troglodytes S



Common breeding resident – usually 1-4 birds seen or heard daily throughout the year. 





 

Dunnock (Accenteur mouchet) Prunella modularis  S M



Common breeding resident – 1-4 birds seen almost daily.

As usual many birds singing during the second half of February and in March, making them much easier to see (far more discreet in summer).  





 

European Robin (Rougegorge familier) Erithacus rubecula  S M



Common breeding resident – 1-4 birds seen almost daily.
Like the preceding species, discreet during the breeding season.

Juvenile noted on 4th July [PR].



Photo: D.Thorns, 8th May 2015

Common Nightingale (Rossignol philomèle) Luscinia megarhynchos E M



A disappointing year with only two records in spring – a singing male on the borders of the Savanna on 10th and 11th April [DT].

The wholescale clearance of the patchy woodland and its understory in the centre of the park, undertaken in late 2014, has meant that L. megarhynchos is unlikely to breed again in the near future.

Absent in summer.

As in previous years, migrants observed regularly in early autumn: 1-3 birds seen or heard calling almost daily from 14th August to 3rd September.

 

Black Redstart (Rougequeue noir) Phoenicurus ochruros  M



Rather irregular and uncommon migrant. Absent during the summer (although breeding in the immediate vicinity of the park).

1-2 birds noted on 13 dates (six in spring and seven in autumn).

1, 23rd March  -  1, 10th April  -  1, 17th April  -  1, 18th April  -  1, 24th April  -  1, 25th April.

1, 18th August  -  1, 25th September  -  1-3, 3rd October  -  1, 9th October  -  2, 17th and 31st October  -  1, 1st November.

 

Common Redstart (Rougequeue à front blanc) Phoenicurus phoenicurus M



Uncommon but regular migrant in spring and (especially) autumn,

Observed twice in spring: 1, 13th April  -  1, 2nd May.

1-4 birds noted almost daily in autumn, from 9th August to 29th September.

 

Northern Wheater  (Traquet motteux)  Oenanthe oenanthe  M

Very uncommon passage migrant. A  good year: observed on two occasions landing and feeding on site (once in spring and once in autumn).

2, 25th April [DT].

1, 18th September [DT].
 

Photo: D.Thorns (25th April 2015)

The two spring birds were seen to arrive together in flight from the south, landing momentarily on the rooftops of the flats on rue Paul Doumer. They then descended to feed on a section of land recently ploughed for the planation of crops.



 

Whinchat  (Tarier des prés)   Saxicola rubetra   M

Uncommon passage migrant. Observed on three dates in autumn.

1, 9th [DT] and 10th [PR/DT] September -  1, 21st September [PR].

 

Common Stonechat (Traquet pâtre) Saxicola rubicola  M



Uncommon passage migrant. A good year: observed on eight dates (six in spring and two in autumn). An apparently bonded pair present for three consecutive days in March.

1, 7th March [PR]  -  1, 20th March [PR]  -  2, 21st-23rd March [DT]  -  1, 4th April [DT].

1, 1st October [DT]  -  1, 3rd October [BR/PR/DT].

Photo: D.Thorns (1st October 2015)

 

Ring Ouzel (Merle à plastron) Turdus torquatus  M



Uncommon but regular passage migrant. Noted on eight dates (five in spring and three in autumn).



1, 8th April [DT]  -  4, 9th April [DT]  -  3, 10th April[DT]  -  2, 17th April [DT]  -  1, 29th April [DT].

1, 15th September [DT]  -  1, 24th and 25th October [DG/PR/DT].

Photo: D.Thorns (24th October 2015)

 

Common Blackbird (Merle noir) Turdus merula S M



Common breeding resident. Small numbers (usually 1-5 birds) seen daily. Higher daily totals noted sometimes in late autumn and winter (for example, c30 on 20th January [PR]).

Notably absent during the second half of September and the first week of October.


 
Fieldfare (Grive litorne) Turdus pilaris  H M



Rather uncommon migrant in late autumn, spring and in winter.
 
Noted on 11 dates (one in winter, four in spring and nine in autumn).

1, 17th January [PR/DT].

2, 12th February [PR]  -  1, 25th and 31st March [DT]  -  2, 1st April [DT].

1, 12th September [IM/DT]  -  3, 17th & 25th & 27th & 31st October [DT]  -  c80, 14th November [DT]  -  1, 15th November [DT].

The September record is particularly early for the region. It involved an individual in active migration flying towards the park low and noisily from the north, twice landing atop a tall tree near the Cascade before continuing south.

 

Song Thrush (Grive musicienne) Turdus philomelos  S M



Rather discreet but common breeding resident – at least three  breeding pairs estimated. Between one and five birds usually seen or heard daily. Passage migrants increase numbers in spring and autumn.

An individual observed nest-building on May 8th [DT].

Spring migration noted in spring from 8th March to 23rd April with a daily maximum of 92 on 18th March.

Return passage observed from the end of September to early November with c25 noted daily.

 

Redwing (Grive mauvis) Turdus iliacus  H M



Reasonably common migrant in spring and late autumn – observed irregularly in small numbers in winter.

Present on site at the beginning of the year: up to 14 on 1st January [PR] with 12 feeding in the Savanna (with a Fieldfare) on 17th January.

Migrants in spring noted fairly regularly from 18th March to 14th April, with a daily maximum of 115 on 25th March [DT].

First noted in autumn on 17th October. Migration observed thereafter until 5th November with around 50 on 31st October [DT].

 

Mistle Thrush (Grive draine) Turdus viscivorus  S M



Reasonably common resident with 1-3 birds seen almost daily throughout the year.

Breeding probable in the park: an adult observed collecting fine moss and lichens for nest building on 4th April [DT].

Active migration noted on five dates in autumn, from 9th to 25th October.

 

European Reed Warbler (Rousserolle effarvatte) Acrocephalus scirpaceus  E M



A disappointing year – breeding unconfirmed and unlikely. One or two birds noted irregularly on eighteen dates from 9th May to 19th September.   

Singing in spring discreet and rarely heard (on only four occasions from diverse areas; the Mare Perchée, the Compost and the Mare du Bas)

Once again the authorities refrained from cutting the reed bed in early spring, which has shown to be beneficial to this species at Beaumonts. However it is possible that the disturbance caused by the unauthorised cutting of sections of the reed bed by unknown individuals had a negative impact this year. Once again it would appear obvious that a paid park guard on site is required at Beaumonts, particularly during the breeding season.

 

Garden Warbler (Fauvette des jardins) Sylvia borin  E M



Reasonably common summer visitor, breeding on site. One or two breeding pairs estimated.


First reported in spring on 12th April [PP]. Up to three birds (including two singing males) noted regularly at the Compost from 19th April to 3rd July.

Observed in autumn on six dates from 1st August to 4th September.

 

Blackcap (Fauvette à tête noire) Sylvia atricapilla  H E M



Common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. 1-12 birds seen or heard almost daily.

Recorded twice in January (17th and 31st).

Singles noted in spring from 18th to 21st March. Contrary to previous years, rather feeble presence in early spring before 9th April. About 20 birds on site on 16th April.

Juveniles observed on 30th May.

Generally fewer birds on site in autumn than usual, and conspicuous by their absence in early October.

Recorded for the last time on 29th October.

 
Lesser Whitethroat (Fauvette babillarde) Sylvia curruca  E M



Sadly now an uncommon passage migrant – has not bred at Beaumonts since 2010.

A singing male, probably alone, seen and heard daily for three weeks in spring. Breeding unlikely. One further observation in summer, and one record in autumn.

Photo: D.Thorns, 23rd April 2015

1, 3rd April – 13th May [OL/GM/VP/PP/PR/DT].

1, 27th June [PR].

1, 8th September [DT].



Common Whitethroat (Fauvette grisette) Sylvia communis  E



A fairly common summer visitor, although fewer numbers compared to earlier years. One or two breeding pairs estimated.  



First reported in spring on 13th April [DT].

Very easy to observe in early May with frequent song and display flights around the Compost. Two noted on 28th June.

In autumn, 1-2 birds noted almost daily from 29th July to 25th September.

 



Melodious Warbler (Hypolaïs polyglotte) Hippolais polyglotta E M



Another disappointing year: H polyglotta has not bred at Beaumonts for the third consecutive year.

Migrants observed on five dates (four in spring and one in autumn).

1, 5th May [DT]  -  1, 10th May [PR/DT]  -  1, 12th and 21st May [PR].

1, 5th August [DT].

The severe cutting of its traditional breeding area by the authorities in early 2013 has had a negative impact on the well-being of this species in the park.

 

Willow Warbler (Pouillot fitis) Phylloscopus trochilus  E M



A rather uncommon non-breeding species noted in spring and autumn. First recorded in spring on 9th April. 1-4 birds noted on 14 dates thereafter until 3rd May.

Up to three birds recorded fairly regularly in autumn from 23rd July to 9th October.  


 
Common Chiffchaff (Pouillot véloce) Phylloscopus collybita E M



Common summer visitor, seen daily.

Small numbers on site in winter at the beginning and end of the year.

First heard sining in spring on 8th March [PR]. Thereafter up to eight noted daily during spring and summer.

Up to three singing birds heard daily during the last week of September [DT].

Unusually feeble presence in autumn – up to nine recorded daily until 17th October. Thereafter 1-2 seen regularly until the end of the year although at least five birds, including a singing individual, present on a warm and sunny 19th December [DT].

 

Goldcrest (Roitelet huppé) Regulus regulus  S M



Rather uncommon resident, probably breeding on site.

Small numbers (1-6 birds) noted irregularly throughout the year. Juvenile observed on 17th August [PR].

 

Firecrest (Roitelet triple-bandeau) Regulus ignicapillus  S M


 
Rather uncommon resident. Breeding possible but not confirmed.

Present on site at the start of the year. 1-2 singing males noted irregularly from 18th March to 28th April [TP/DT].

Not reported between 29th April and 16th August.

1-4 noted fairly regularly in autumn up until 31st October.

 

Spotted Flycatcher (Gobemouche gris) Muscicapa striata M



Uncommon but regular passage migrant in spring and autumn. Observed on 11 dates (one in spring and 10 in autumn).

1, 4th May [RS].

1, 2nd August [DT]  -  1, 18th August [PR/DT]  -  2+, 22nd August [DT]  -  2, 29th August [PR/DT]  -  1, 4th September [DT]  -  1, 10th September [OL/PR]  -  1, 11th September [DT]  -  2, 20th September [PR/DT]  -  1, 21st & 29th September [PR].

 

European Pied Flycatcher (Gobemouche noir) Ficedula hypoleuca  M



Uncommon passage migrant in spring; relatively common and regular in autumn. Observed on 24 dates (one in spring and 23 in autumn). 




1, 25th April [DT].

1, 2nd & 9th & 15th August  -  3, 16th August  -  1, 18th August  -  2, 20th August  -  3, 22nd August  -  2, 23rd August  -  1, 25th & 26th & 28th August  -  1, 30th August  -  1, 31st August  -  1, 2nd & 3rd & 9th September  -  1, 10th September  -  2, 11th September  -  1, 12th September  -  2, 13th September  -  1, 15th September  -  1, 26th September  -  1, 27th September.

Photo: D.Thorns, 11th September 2015

Great Tit (Mésange charbonnière) Parus major  S M



Common breeding resident – usually 1-10 birds seen daily.





 

Coal Tit (Mésange noire) Periparus ater  H M



Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Observed on seven dates in autumn.

2, 3rd October  -  3, 4th October  -  12, 24th October  -  1, 27th & 30th October  -  2, 31st October  -  1, 1st November.
 

Eurasian Blue Tit (Mésange bleue) Cyanistes caeruleus  S M



Common breeding resident, although slightly less numerous than p.major - usually 1-4 birds seen daily.





 

Crested Tit (Mésange huppée) Lophophanes cristatus  H M



Normally rare at Beaumonts this was a very good year, with nesting confirmed in the park for the first time.

A pair of birds noted moving together through the Petite Prairie (an individual wing-shivering) on 15th April [DT].

Photo: D.Thorns, 15th April 2015

Breeding confirmed two weeks later, on 1st May, at the car park on rue Paul Doumer, with adults carrying food to an active nest. Interestingly the birds had chosen to breed in a very visible location, a cavity in a small tree largely devoid of foliage, rather than in one of the very much taller, denser conifers just a few metres away. The birds were seen using the nest until 17th May.

Two further observations were to follow, with single birds noted on 22nd July [PR] and 27th September [DT].

 

Marsh Tit (Mésange nonnette) Poecile palustris  S



Fairly uncommon. 1-2 birds noted irregularly throughout the year.

Breeding confirmed with a family party including juveniles noted at the Jean Moulin entrance on 31st May [DT].

 

Long-tailed Tit (Mésange à longue queue) Aegithalos caudatus  S



Fairly common breeding resident. Up to 12 birds seen irregularly throughout the year.

An active nest found on 25th April [YF]. Juveniles observed on 8th May [DT].

Unlike in previous years, observed on several occasions during from June to August.

 

Eurasian Nuthatch (Sittelle torchepot) Sitta europaea  S



Inexplicably scarce at Beaumonts. Observed on five dates (as was the case in 2014).

1, 5th January [PR]  -  1, 6th March [PR]  -  1, 21st June [DT]  -  1, 11th September [PR]  -  1, 27th September [DT].

 

Short-toed Treecreeper  (Grimpereau des jardins)  Certhia brachydactyla  S



Fairly common resident (at least two breeding pairs estimated). One or two birds noted regularly throughout the year.

Red-backed Shrike  (Pie-grieche ecorcheur)  Lanius collurio  M

Rare migrant. A very good year with up to two individuals on site for 18 days in autumn. Noted on 12 dates from 26th August to 12th September [OL/IM/PR/DT].

Photos: D.Thorns, 2nd & 3rd September 2015

Although two birds were never seen simultaneously, photos taken seem to confirm the opinion that two individuals were present on and after 29th August. On some occasions the observed bird would appear “uniform and warm rufous” whereas on other occasions “cold and contrasty with the allure of a wryneck” [DT].

 
Common Magpie (Pie bavarde) Pica pica  S



Common breeding resident – usually 5-20 birds seen daily.





 

Eurasian Jay (Geai des chênes) Garrulus glandarius  S M



Fairly common breeding resident. 1-3 birds seen daily.



 

Eurasian Jackdaw (Choucas des tours) Corvus monedula   H M



Uncommon. 1-2 birds observed flying to the north on nine dates (seven in spring and two in autumn).

2, 22nd February  -  2, 1st April  -  5, 6th April  -  1, 14th April  -  2, 23rd & 28th April  -  2, 20th May.

1, 17th October  -  2, 14th November.

 

Rook (Corbeau freux) Corvus frugilegus M



A rather uncommon migrant. Records typically involve small, loose groups of less than 10 birds flying purposefully overhead. Noted on 17 dates (one in winter, four in spring and seven in autumn).

1, 4th January.

2, 8th March  -  4, 22nd April  -  1, 20th May  -  3, 23rd June.

3, 17th October  -  14, 18th October  -  3, 24th October  -  13, 25th October  -  10, 31st October  -  3, 1st November  -  1, 8th November.

 

Carrion Crow (Corneille noire) Corvus corone  S


Common breeding resident. Usually between one and ten birds noted daily. 


 

European Starling (Etourneau sansonnet) Sturnus vulgaris S M



Common resident, breeding inside the park. Small numbers observed daily.



Adults feeding juveniles on the lawns in the northern section of the park on 23th May.

Feeble presence on site during July and August.

Up to 58 birds apparently in active migration in autumn – noted on seven dates from 11th October to 8th November.

 
Eurasian Golden Oriole (Loriot d’Europe) Oriolus oriolus M



Very uncommon but regular passage migrant. Observed twice in spring.

1, 24th April [YF/DT]  -  1, 13th May [DT].

The April bird, a superb male, sang intermittently in the morning from the Bois de Bordure.

Photo: D.Thorns (24th April 2015)

 

House Sparrow (Moineau domestique) Passer domesticus S



Fairly common resident breeding near the park; 1-4 birds seen fairly regularly.

 

Chaffinch (Pinson des arbres) Fringilla coelebs S M



Fairly common in winter with small numbers seen daily. Discreet and rarely seen in summer (although a singing male heard regularly from April to early July).

Common passage migrant: in spring small numbers daily flying northeast from 7th March to 17th April.

Migration noted at the end of autumn, from 20th September to 8th November, with a small peak of 125 on 24th October [PR/DT]. 





 

Brambling (Pinson du nord) Fringilla montifringilla  H M



Uncommon but fairly regular winter visitor and passage migrant.

No records this year in spring.

In autumn up to around 25 noted almost daily from 9th October to 8th November. Observed on several occasions to land on site, especially in the northern section of the park [OL/PR/DT].

 

Eurasian Linnet (Linotte mélodieuse) Carduelis cannabina  S M



Fairly common migrant noted on passage in spring and autumn.


First recorded in spring on 7th March. Up to 30 noted daily thereafter until 28th April.

Two birds flying northeast on 3rd July [DT].

Small numbers (up to 20) observed regularly in autumn from 3rd October to 14th November.



Common Redpoll (Sizerin flammé) Carduelis flammea H M



Uncommon winter visitor and migrant.

Three observations in autumn.

1, 3rd October [DT]  -  1, 9th October [DT]  -  2, 25th October [DT].

 

European Goldfinch  (Chardonneret élégant) Carduelis carduelis S M



Reasonably common resident, breeding in or near the park. One or two birds noted irregularly in winter.

Migration observed in spring and autumn. In spring two noted flying north on 21st February, but the remaining sightings all occurred in April (noted on 10 dates from 1st to 25th).

Active migration in autumn on six dates from 17th October to 8th November, with a maximum of 19 on 18th October.  


 
European Greenfinch (Verdier d’Europe) Carduelis chloris S M



Common resident breeding in or near the park. 1-6 birds noted daily, although more discreet in spring and summer.

Greater numbers noted in winter: up to 12 on site in January and a group of about 20 feeding in the Savanna on 15th February.

Photo: D.Thorns, 1st August 2015

 

Eurasian Siskin (Tarin des aulnes) Carduelis spinus H M



Uncommon in winter – noted regularly on migration in spring and autumn.

Not noted in winter this year (January, February, December), and no reports from 7th April to 27th September.

Observed twice in spring: 1, 24th March  -  8, 7th April.

Small numbers in autumn from 27th September to 15th November with a small peak of 17 on 25th October [DT].

 

European Serin (Serin cini) Serinus serinus S M  



Reasonably common resident, breeding in or near the park.

Present in winter at the start of the year: 4 birds (including a singing male) at the recycling plant on 31st January [DT].

A pair on site (the male bathing in a puddle) on 28th March [DM].

Singing male heard regularly from mid-April to 4th June [OL/PR/DT].

A small group of up to five birds present in late autumn from 30th August to 1st November.

 

Eurasian Bullfinch (Bouvreuil pivoine) Pyrrhula pyrrhula  S



A discreet but reasonably common resident. Breeding unconfirmed this year.

One or two birds noted irregularly (on 19 dates) throughout the year, although not reported in May, July or September.


 
Hawfinch  (Grosbec casse-noyaux) Coccothraustes coccothraustes  H M



Rather uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Observed on 15 dates (10 in spring and five in autumn).

Not noted in winter this year.

1, 7th April  -  2, 5th & 6th & 7th May  - 1, 9th May  -  2, 11th & 12th & 21st & 26th May  -  1, 3rd June.

1, 18th October  -  4, 24th October  -  3, 30th October  -  1, 1st November  -  1, 3rd November.

The spring records are exceptional, suggesting breeding in or near the park for the first time. The records involved an apparently bonded pair, flying together in diverse directions and sometimes perching in trees in the vicinity of the Cascade in the early mornings.

 

Reed Bunting (Bruant des roseaux) Emberiza schoeniclus  H M



Rather uncommon and irregular winter visitor. Recorded fairly often in spring and autumn. 



Observed for the first time on 18th March. 1-3 noted on nine dates thereafter until 15th April.

Observed less frequently than usual in autumn. 1-3 noted on six dates from 3rd to 31st October.

 

Yellowhammer  (Bruant jaune)  Emberiza citronella  M

Uncommon migrant. Noted on four dates (one in spring and three in autumn).

1, 24th March [DT].

1, 24th October [DT]  -  1, 27th October [DT]  -  1, 1st November [DT].