Birding Beaumonts

An empty blue and almost birdless sky this afternoon, although this BUZZARD (buse) flew low overhead. Feels like this is the end of autumn. 

Large flock of about 70 FIELDFARES (litorne) flying south today. Otherwise hardly anything about at the moment.

This fine HEN HARRIER (busard Saint Martin) flapped over just as the smothering morning mist began to break.

4 more GOLDEN PLOVERS (pluvier doré) went south and a couple of BRAMBLINGS (pinson du Nord) landed on site.  

A migrating MERLIN (émerillon) this morning, and several BRAMBLINGS (pinson du Nord).

A WOODCOCK (bécasse) flushed from the small wooded slope at the Cascade early morning. A loose flock of 8 GOLDEN PLOVERS (pluvier dorée) raced south.

A hot and sunny, cloudless day. Fewer birds than yesterday but still a few GREYLAGS (oie cendrée), LAPWINGS (vanneau) and  BUZZARDS (buse). Small numbers of YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS (leucophée) moving southeast at the moment.

A GREAT EGRET (grande aigrette) beat northwards, low over the park through the early-morning mist.

Still plenty of BRAMBLINGS (pinson du nord) going through, and a skywatch in the afternoon produced this migrating BUZZARD (one of 7 today) and the first autumn flocks of GREYLAG GEESE (oie cendrée).

Yesterday’s RING OUZEL (merle a plastron) still on site today. A MERLIN (émerillon) and a couple of REDPOLLS (sizerin) flew south, and in the early morning several BRAMBLINGS (pinson du nord) were landing on trees with CHAFFINCHES (pinson des arbres) in the northern part of the park.

This obliging RING OUZEL (merle a plastron) was on site today, feeding with other thrushes around the Compost. A few COAL TITS (mésange noire) and HAWFINCHES (gros bec) were migrating, along with flocks of SKYLARKS (alouette des champs), CHAFFINCHES (pinson des arbres) and BRAMBLINGS (pinson du nord). A YELLOWHAMMER (bruant jaune) dropped in briefly.

Olivier had a male BRAMBLING (pinson du nord) on site today.

A cold and grey weekend, low cloud hiding the action overhead. A few WOODLARKS (lulu), a MERLIN (émerillon), a HAWFINCH (gros bec) and a couple of BRAMBLINGS (pinson du nord) were all seen flying over today.

Brief views of a WOODCOCK (bécasse) dashing low across the park towards the cemetary early this morning.

A depressing tale of woe in the early afternoon: a MARSH HARRIER (busard des roseaux) could be seen circling in the distance with what  looked like a HEN HARRIER (St Martin). I quickly ignored the former and concentrated on the much scarcer HEN, but as it drew closer it started to look much more like a PALLID HARRIER (busard pale) !!!! The underparts were apparently unmarked orange, the rear edge to the wings was straight-looking and there was that classic blackish shawl over the rear head and neck  highlighting a creamy-looking collar. This, though, was where things started to go drastically wrong: I left the scope, picked up the camera in readiness, only to find a completely empty sky with not a bird in sight anywhere ! A quick frantic scan with the bins duly found the harrier high up and gliding south and so I followed it in the Nikon and took about 30 photos of what, it turned out moments later, was the WRONG BIRD , the MARSH !! Would you bloody believe it….

BRAMBLING (pinson du nord), WOODLARK (lulu) and REDPOLL (sizerin) over the Cascade this morning. Lots of GOLDCRESTS (roitelet huppe) on site all of a sudden.

A roof of low cloud this morning seemed to be bringing the birds down. This STONECHAT (traquet pâtre), obviously not the same as Thursday’s bird, spent the whole day on site and a REED BUNTING (bruant des roseaux) was in the Petite Prairie.

Three vital year ticks turned up, namely (in order of appearance) a low flyover MUTE SWAN (cygne tuberculé), a REDPOLL (sizerin flammé) and a couple of restless COAL TITS (mésange noire) moving quickly through.

In the afternoon, 4 BUZZARDS (buse) were seen circling together and another HEN HARRIER (busard Saint Martin) flew high to the south.

Yves reported a singing TAWNY OWL (hulotte) by the steps on rue des Charmes at around 20h this evening.

This STONECHAT (traquet pâtre) was in the maize crop at dawn, and a single SISKIN (tarin) flew over. Not enough time to find anything else...

PIED FLYCATCHER (gobemouche noir) and REDSTART (rouge-queue a front blanc) at the Compost this morning.

A HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) went south in the afternoon, as did small numbers of SWALLOWS (rustique), a couple of BUZZARDS (buse) and this extremely high juvenile HEN HARRIER (busard St Martin), hassled all the way by a SPARROWHAWK (épervier).

Shots here of a very nice WILLOW WARBLER (fitis) at the Mare de Milieu this morning, and an impressive squadron of 19 WHITE STORKS (cigogne blanche) gliding slowly south in the afternoon.

2 GREAT EGRETS (grande aigrette) beat slowly westwards early this morning, high over Bagnolet. 

The first migrating MEADOW PIPITS (farlouse) and SONG THRUSHES (grive musicienne) of the autumn are passing overhead.

Excellent skywatching this afternoon from the Cascade with Pierre and Phil : there was a steady stream of hirundines, a group of 5 WHITE STORKS (cigogne blanche) and a total of 20 migrating raptors. This included 13 MARSH HARRIERS (busard des roseaux), a park record!

Birds were on the move early this morning :  lots of SWALLOWS (rustique) were dashing low overhead and a few TREE PIPITS (pipit des arbres) and a YELLOW WAGTAIL (printa) flew over.

This WHEATEAR (traquet motteux) was a surprise, running around on the newly-cut Compost

After last Saturday’s FIELDFARE, yet another early-arriving thrush surprise - a furtive but noisy RING OUZEL (merle a plastron) at the Compost. The 3 REDSTARTS (rouge-queue a front blanc) are still in the same area, along with a PIED FLY (gobemouche noir).

As you can see the Compost zone is currently being completely razed to the ground by the authorities in charge, annoyingly removing lots of exciting-looking cover for migrants to hide in. But  some birds are taking advantage of the freshly cleared ground and dart up and down from the borders to pouce on prey : early this morning saw 3 REDSTARTS (rouge-queue a front blanc) and the RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur) all milling around this area before the grey clouds took over and a steady, heavy rain set in.

Several SWALLOWS (rustique) and YELLOW WAGTAILS (printa) were migrating low overhead, but top bird today was an early FIELDFARE (litorne), chacking in low from the north and landing on a tree at the Cascade before continuing south. 

One of 2 PIED FLYCATCHERS (gobemouche noir) this morning pictured here. In and around the same tree were a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (gobemouche gris), a WHITETHROAT (grisette) and 2 REDSTARTS (rouge-queue a front blanc).

Later in the day Pierre re-found the WHINCHAT (tarier des pres) and the RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur). 

3 WILLOW WARBLERS (fitis), including a very grey and white one, were flitting around the reeds in the Mare Perchée this morning and at least 3 FIRECRESTS (triple bandeau) were in the nearby willows. Both the RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur) and the WHINCHAT (tarier des près) were still on site, the latter popping up again in the small maize crop in the northern part of the park.   

RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur) still present this morning, and a WHINCHAT (tarier des près) was moving restlessly around.

The RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur) wasn’t seen over the weekend but it (or another?) was there again in the same place at dawn today, looking a bit dishevelled. A fine LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde) was in the Petite Prairie.

A few raptors were migrating over this afternoon; the MARSH HARRIERS (busard des roseaux) and HONEY BUZZARDS (bondrée) were going clearly south although this BUZZARD (buse) meandered the other way.

There's a small bunch of SERINS on site and STARLINGS (étourneau) are appearing in bigger numbers, gathering on distant rooftops. 

Colder weather with grey cloudy skies - no sign of the SHRIKE…

RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur) still present early doors near the Cascade; later in the day Pierre found this superb LESSER PURPLE EMPEROR butterfly (apatura ilia) - a first for the park apparently. 

Since Saturday morning I’ve had this sneeking suspicion that there might actually be 2 RED-BACKED SHRIKES (pie-grièche écorcheur) on site: sometimes the bird has looked quite uniform, warm and gingery overall, but at other times colder and meaner-looking, with an almost wryneck-like allure. This morning’s photos seem to confirm this ?...

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The RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur) still there this morning.

In the afternoon Pierre saw and photographed this SMALL COPPER (Lycaena phlaeas), uncommon at Beaumonts...

Another shot here of the RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur), still on site and surprisingly much easier to find in the afternoon, under a blazing sun with the all the chaotic noise of humans milling around close by, some racing up and down on motorbikes. 

The other photo shows two of the three GREAT EGRETS (grande aigrette) which beat slowly south in the early morning. A couple of SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS (gobemouche gris) were in the Savannah and 11 HONEY BUZZARDS (bondrée) and a WHITE STORK (cigogne blanche) flew south during the afternoon.

Record shot here of an excellent RED-BACKED SHRIKE (pie-grièche écorcheur) in the Petite Prairie this morning. True to form it was moving around a lot, disappearing for periods and difficult to approach.  

Otherwise there were a couple of WHITETHROATS (grisette) on site, along with a REED WARBLER (effarvatte) in the reeds and a very agitated PIED FLY (gobemouche noir) moving around a fir.

The first MARSH HARRIER (busard des roseaux) of the autumn today, and a local HOBBY was hawking for insects and dashing unsuccessfully at the passing SWIFTS (martinet). Star birds though were these 3 CURLEWS (courlis cendré) which flapped silently south over the Cascade in the late afternoon.

Very birdy today, although yesterdays’s WRYNECK (torcol) was nowhere to be found. In the Savanna there were at least 3 REDSTARTS (rouge-queue à front blanc), 2 PIED FLYS (gobemouche noir), a WHITETHROAT (grisette) and several BLACKCAPS (fauvette a tête noire). A REED WARBLER (effarvatte) was at the Mare Perchée.

In the afternoon a BLACK STORK (cigogne noire) and a small flock of 5 HONEY BUZZARDS (bondrée) circled south. A PEREGRINE meandered around high over Romainville and a HOBBY dashed south with a dangling dead SWIFT (martinet).

Excellent WRYNECK (torcol) flushed up twice from the long grass in the Petite Prairie this morning, dashing each time to the dense bushes inside the ditch where it hid very well for long periods.  

PIED FLYCATCHER (gobemouche noir) and NIGHTINGALE (rossignol) both on site, and in the afternoon a couple of migrating HONEY BUZZARDS (bondrée) went over, including this very white-looking juvenile.

2 REDSTARTS (rougequeue à front blanc) and 1 PIED FLY (gobemouche noir) in the Savanna this afternoon.

Nearby, perched on heap of logs, was this wierd  CROW (corneille), looking like a whopping-great RING OUZEL (plastron). The photo, incidentally, was snapped by my brother Richard who's on a birding ‘’holiday’’ this weekend at the Parc des Beaumonts, testing out the new Fujifilm S1 bridge camera with 50x optical zoom….

An interesting morning with this LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (pic épeichette) and both PIED and SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS (gobemouche noir & gris) in and around the Petite Prairie.   

A HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) glided in low, doubling back to land somewhere in the woodland by the Jean Moulin entrance.

Another successful year for the SPARROWHAWKS (épervier) nesting in the Bois de Bordure - mewing calls from the juveniles have been heard these last few days, and at least 3 birds are moving restlessly around the treetops.

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A fine adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL (mélano) flew west early this morning, circling along the way….

Yet more views of HAWFINCHES (gros bec) this morning, one of them landing for a while near the Cascade. The big task now is to find the goddam nest….

COMMON TERN (pierregarin) flying steadily east early this morning, high up against a deep blue sky. 

A distant WHITE STORK (cigogne blanche), a BUZZARD (buse) and a HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) all flew north today. Juvenile BLACKCAPS (fauvette a tête noire) are about, and GREY WAGTAILS (bergeronnette des ruisseaux) continue to fly back and forth between the park and a nearby nest, somewhere downtown.

Excitement early morning with this REDSHANK (gambette) beating high to the north through clear skies - a patch tick no less…

Migration has dried up of late although this distant HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) went over during the afternoon. Several dragonflies were zooming around the Mare Perchée, including this FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER (libellule quadrimaculata).

A HOBBY flew towards Vincennes with a dangling, dead SWIFT (martinet)

Went to check out the CRESTED TIT (mésange huppé) nest site again this morning but the birds are no longer to-ing and fro-ing between it and the firs inside the park. 

For info this here was the place, right by the roadside on rue Paul Doumer, with a red arrow to the nest hole. Interesting that the pair chose this tree rather than one of the large luxurious-looking conifers just a few metres away….

Not many birds today - things are going quiet.

A BLACK KITE (milan noir) went northeast in the afternoon, along with a handfull of SWALLOWS (rustique).

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Quick visit this afternoon - one of the two CRESTED TITS (mésange huppée) here, still feeding young at the nest.

This female GOLDEN ORIOLE (loriot) flapped over the Cascade this morning.

LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde) still singing on site.

2 WHITE STORKS (cigogne blanche), a BLACK STORK !! (cigogne noire) and a HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) this afternoon. A MELODIOUS WARBLER (polyglotte) was singing intermittently at the Compost. 

Brilliant view of this HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée), one of six to fly over during the afternoon.

Another HAWFINCH (grosbec) appearance today, and the first REED WARBLER (effarvatte) was skulking in the mare Perchée, singing almost inaudibly.

First HOBBY (hobereau) of the year this afternoon. Sounds like the LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde) has almost stopped singing - only a couple of rattles today.

A few YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS (leucophée) were moving over north and east, just as they did at the same period last year. Another view of those 2 HAWFINCHES (grosbec) early morning, although they were flying off and away, disappearing east behind the flats on rue Paul Doumer. A few small groups of HOUSE MARTINS (hirondelle de fenêtre) migrating very high in the sky. 

More views of 2 HAWFINCHES (grosbec), which flew in and landed briefly near the Cascade. LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde) still singing away...

A pair of HAWFINCHES (grosbec) flying low across the park was a surprise this morning, and the first MELODIOUS WARBLER (polyglotte) of the spring was singing (and being difficult to see).

Exciting discovery of a CRESTED TIT'S (mésange huppée) nest today at the car park on rue Paul Doumer, the first breeding record for the park.  

A singing TREE PIPIT (pipit des arbres) in the Petite Prairie this morning.

Another RING OUZEL (merle a plastron) dropped in this morning and the first BULLFINCH (bouvreuil) in a while, a male, showed briefly at the Compost. The recent warblers are still on site; a pair of WHITETHROATS (grisette), 2 GARDEN WARBLERS (fauvette des jardins) and a LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde).

OSPREY (balbu) flying north this afternoon, just before the rain arrived.

Record shot here of an excellent male GOLDEN ORIOLE (loriot) singing from the treetops in the Bois de Bordure early doors.

At least 3 WILLOW WARBLERS (fitis), 2 GARDEN WARBLERS (fauvette des jardins) and a LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde) are on site and a first-summer male PIED FLYCATCHER (gobemouche noir) was in the tall trees along the Sentier des Vergers.

In the afternoon a MARSH HARRIER (busard des roseaux) went over and the first HONEY BUZZARD (bondrée) of the spring moved slowly southwest towards Paris.

2 WHEATEARS (traquet motteux) flew over eastwards and landed on the roofs of the buildings outside the park. They fortunately spotted the big piece of green nearby and flew down to spend several minutes running around on a ploughed patch...

Nice views at dawn of this FOX padding through the long dewy grass in the Savanna. LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde) still singing on site. 

This LESSER WHITETHROAT (babillarde) was rattling all around the park early morning - and what a fine species it is too.

Rather more SWIFTS (martinets) in the air over the town, but generally fewer migrants flying over today.

Excellent MERLIN (émerillon) dashing northeast this morning through clear blue skies, disappearing as a speck over the flats on rue Paul Doumer (the first April record for the park I believe)…

MEADOW PIPITS (farlouse) are still going over in the early mornings along with smaller numbers of SWALLOWS (rustique), HOUSE MARTINS (fenêtre) and SWIFTS (martinet).

GARDEN WARBLER (fauvette des jardins) and WILLOW WARBLER (fitis) singing on site this morning, and this KESTREL (crécerelle) was tucking into a freshly caught mouse for breakfast.

This tatty-looking BLACK KITE (milan noir) flew north against the sun early this morning.

Quite a few MEADOW PIPITS (farlouse) are still passing through and a couple of RING OUZELS (merle a plastron) were on site at dawn.

The BLACK WOODPECKER (pic noir) saga continues: same thing again today with distant calling followed by views of it flying away towards Romainville. Extraordinary stuff…

The first SWIFTS (martinet noir) of the spring swarmed in quietly this morning and a HOUSE MARTIN (hirondelle de fenêtre) flew north.

This CRESTED TIT (mésange huppe) was one of a pair moving quickly through, hanging about for a spot of wing shivering on the way. It’s rare in the park and this is the first ever photo !

Amazingly another BLACK WOODPECKER (pic noir) experience this morning. Probably the same bird as last week it did almost exactly the same thing at exactly the same time of day, calling for a short period from the woodland before bobbing away northwards over the buildings.

The first GARDEN WARBLER (fauvette des jardins) of the year was singing near the Cascade and a JACKDAW (choucas) and a REDWING (mauvis) flew north.

WHITETHROAT (grisette) and COMMON REDSTART (rouge-queue a front blanc) near the Cascade early this morning. Quite a few MEADOW PIPITS (farlouse) going over.

OSPREY (balbu) flying east this afternoon.

4 GREEN SANDS (cul-blanc), a MARSH HARRIER (busard des roseaux) and a couple of RING OUZELS (merle a plastron) flying over this morning. BLACK REDSTART (rouge-queue noir) and singing NIGHTINGALE (rossignol) on site.

Excitement early morning with this BLACK WOODPECKER (pic noir) putting in a brief appearance, only the second I’ve ever seen at Beaumonts. It was flying restlessly around the Bois de Bordure, unfortunately a popular hang-out for the local MAGPIES (pies) which quickly spotted it and drove it off the premises.

Again very few passerines migrating although four RING OUZELS (merle a plastron) in and around the Savanna eventually grouped and tacked off high to the north. The first WILLOW WARBLERS (fitis) of the year today and a YELLOW WAGTAIL (printa) dropped down to land on the lawns, only to be quickly flushed off by an Alsation called Ellie.

Male RING OUZEL (merle a plastron) on site at dawn. As was the case yesterday, relatively few migrants flying overhead early morning.

Great views of these two KESTRELS (faucon crécerelle) hunting over the Compost this afternoon. 5 GREEN SANDPIPERS (cul-blanc) flew over early morning and raptors were on the move during the afternoon: 6 MARSH HARRIERS (busard des roseaux), a BUZZARD (buse) and a BLACK KITE (milan noir).

The first YELLOW WAGTAIL (printa) and TREE PIPIT (pipit des arbres) of the year today.

Record shot here of an incredibly distant and apparently one-legged WHITE STORK (cigogne blanche) flying north this afternoon. A few SWALLOWS (rustique) were migrating, along with 5 BUZZARDS (buse).

A fine male STONECHAT (traquet pâtre) this morning and the first SWALLOW (rustique) of the year.

BLACK KITE (milan noir), a pair of JACKDAWS (choucas) and quite a few THRUSHES (grives) and MEADOW PIPITS (farlouse) flying over this morning.

3 REED BUNTINGS (bruant des roseaux) shook loose from the reeds at dawn and a bit later a YELLOWHAMMER (bruant jaune) was a good year-tick, flying north over the Cascade.

Unfortunately no sign of the STONECHATS this morning…

Both the STONECHATS (traquet pâtre) still present this morning.

It’s hard enough nowadays to get STONECHAT (traquet pâtre) on the Year List, so a pair of them milling around the Compost this morning was a major évent indeed (record shots here). Not much else apart from a REED BUNTING (bruant des roseaux) at the Mare Perchée.

Lots of SONG THRUSHES (grive musicienne) on the move early this morning, and a lone PEREGRINE beat lazily north towards Romainville.

A very good skywatch for Pierre this afternoon, getting a BUZZARD (buse) and the very rare sight of a BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (barge a queue noire) migrating high to the northeast. 

More LAPWINGS (vanneau) going over today for Pierre, (278 to be precise).

Today Pierre found a STONECHAT (traquet pâtre) on site and had 96 LAPWINGS (vanneau) and 3 GREGLAGS (oie cendrée) flying over.

Nothing much this afternoon apart from this nice FIRECREST (triple bandeau) and the wintering CHIFFCHAFF (véloce), which was again flitting around its favourite tree at the Ave de Marronniers entrance. 

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Female BLACKCAP (fauvette a tête noire) seen again today, and 4 SERINS were at the recycling plant. This here is the GREY WAGTAIL (Bergeronnette des ruisseaux) currently living on site, almost always to be found running around the stony floor of the now-empty Mare Perchée.

Pierre had a flock of 9 COMMON CRANES (grue cendrée) flying north late afternoon!!

A FIELDFARE (litorne) was in amongst a small flock of REDWINGS (mauvis) running around the Savanna. Female BLACKCAP (fauvette a tête noire) , CHIFFCHAFF (véloce) and 2 SERINS on site.

Happy New Year to anyone reading. Nice image here, captured by Roland last night, of the sun setting on another bumper year - there was a total of 123 species seen in 2014. 

Today, though, was lovely bright blue sky, cold and sunny with the loud song of a MISTLE THRUSH (draine) ringing all around. In spite of a hangover, CHIFFCHAFF (véloce), a couple of FIRECRESTS (triple bandeau) and MARSH TITS (nonette) were all spotted. Pierre added a GREY WAGTAIL (bergeronnette des ruisseaux) and BULLFINCH (bouvreuil) later in the day.