Birding Beaumonts

Strange, loud calls from the Savanna this morning eventually traced to this crazy COCKATEIL (calopsitte élégante), which appeared to fly off for good around midday.

A RING OUZEL (plastron) was on site.

1 of a pair of RED KITES (milan royal) here, gliding high to the south this afteroon. Nothing else migrating apart from a few SWALLOWS (rustique).

REED WARBLER (effarvatte) and PIED FLYCATCHER (gobemouche noir) on site.

This HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) careered in low and silently from the north and crash-landed in a small tree at the Mare Perchée, only to be quickly chased off by the local MAGPIES.

Quite a lot about this morning with SPOTTED and PIED FLYCATCHERS (gobemouches gris et noir), at least 2 REDSTARTS (front-blanc), WHITETHROAT (grisette) and 2 REED WARBLERS (effarvatte) all on site.

Plenty of raptors around during the afternoon: 6 MARSH HARRIERS (busard des roseaux) and another HONEY BUZZARD were on migration, whereas on site there were 2 insect-chasing KESTRELS (crécerelle), a circling adult PEREGRINE, several SPARROWHAWKS (épervier) and 2 HOBBIES.

This CRESTED TIT (mésange huppée) was a much needed year-tick, in amongst a large mixed species flock including CHIFFCHAFFS (véloce) and a couple of FIRECRESTS (triple bandeau).

2 SWIFTS (martinet noir) went over during the afternoon, surely the last ??

Another HOBBY here, flying over the Cascade early this morning, carrying rather long-legged and unidentified prey.

There were first autumn appearances for YELLOW WAGTAILS (in a small migrating flock) and TREE PIPIT. A WHITETHROAT (grisette) was at the Compost.

Record shot here of two of three distant BLACK STORKS (cigogne noire) gliding southwest this afternoon.

A HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) looked to be migrating, whereas a BLACK KITE (milan noir) over the watertower looked more local and drifted off northwards. A few HOUSE MARTINS (hirondelle de fenêtre) around this afternoon, and good numbers of SWIFTS (martinet).

A YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (goéland leucophée) here flying over early this morning - small numbers have been passing through to the north and east these past few weeks.

The two MARSH WARBLERS (verderolle) and the MELODIOUS WARBLER (hypolais) are still singing on site.

2 singing MARSH WARBLERS (verderolle) on site these past few days, and one of them today was roaming around between the reedbed and the Compost. The MELODIOUS WARBLER (polyglotte) is still at the Petite Prairie and the mysterious pair of HAWFINCHES (gros bec) flew low overhead, again.

An apparently migrating BLACK KITE (milan noir) glided north and this LARGE RED DAMSELFLY (Petite nymphe au corps de feu) was at the Cascade.

Not a lot today although there was, incredibly, a new bird for the park bird list with this escaped BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET (conure a tête bleue). 

A silent REED WARBLER (effarvatte) was at the Mare de Bas and another HONEY-BUZZARD (bondrée) flew over.

This WHITETHROAT (grisette) is still giving it all around Petite Prairie, songflighting and singing throughout the day.

In the same area a pair of GARDEN WARBLERS (fauvette des jardins) seems pretty sorted, the two birds moving around together with nest material early morning.

In the afternoon a lone WHITE STORK (cigogne blanche) flapped west towards Paris. Rather a good day for raptors with 4 BLACK KITES (milan noir), a BUZZARD (buse) and 4 HONEY-BUZZARDS (bondrée), the first of the year, gliding over. 

2 TREE PIPITS (pipit des arbres) this morning and the first REED WARBLER (effarvatte) of the year was singing at the Compost.

Small numbers of SWALLOWS (rustique), HOUSE MARTINS (hirondelle de fenêtre) and SAND MARTINS (rivage) were flying over and this TURTLE DOVE (tourterelle des bois) was a big surprise - very rare to see them landing at Beaumonts.

Another cold and grim morning, a blanket of thick grey cloud overhead. Great excitement, though, when this rare PURPLE HERON (héron pourpré) beat its way north.

Actually it was a morning for large waterbirds - almost nothing else was moving apart from three GREY HERONS (héron cendre) and a small flock of CORMORANTS (grand cormoran).

Brief views at first light of this distant singing male GOLDEN ORIOLE (loriot), perched in the middle of the Savanna before taking off  northwards.   

Two more MEDITERRANEAN GULLS (mélano) flew over, as did another REDPOLL (sizerin).

One of three adult MEDITERRANEAN GULLS (melano) here, circling high to the north with five BLACK-HEADED GULLS (rieuse) in the early afternoon.

A BRAMBLING (pinson du nord), and the first TREE PIPITS (pipit des arbres) and YELLOW WAGTAILS (printa) of the spring flew overhead.

At just after midnight, Yves heard a TAWNY OWL (hulotte) calling from the southern side of the park. 

2 PEREGRINES over Fontenay this afternoon and another COMMON GULL (goéland cendré) showed up, circling north between the showers.

A distant MARSH HARRIER (busard des roseaux) was the first of the year.

This rainbow showed briefly behind the Antenna Building.

A CORN BUNTING (bruant proyer) flew over the Cascade early this morning.

This was one of many REDWINGS (mauvis) rushing north, and CHAFFINCHES (pinson des arbres) and WHITE WAGTAILS (bergeronnette grise) are bounding over now in bigger numbers.

Exciting discovery early this morning of this startled WATER RAIL (Rale d’eau) poking around the icy edges of the Mare Perchée. After that it was discreet and difficult and only occasionally visible scampering between the two reed beds.

The first migrating WHITE WAGTAILS (bergeronnette grise) and MEADOW PIPITS (farlouse) of the spring went overhead and a STONECHAT (traquet patre) was in the Savanna.

In the afternoon an impressive group of 45 WHITE STORKS (cigogne blanche) had a hard time flapping north against the strong, cold wind.