Back in the heat wave of late February 4 old guys from Romney Marsh went on an early spring day trip to Crecy and the surrounds. Mark, Tony and myself are grateful to Chris who seems to know the area better than the French locals, did all the driving and woke me up when necessary. Our first stop was some arable fields just outside the forest, unlike the barren fields of Romney/Walland Marsh, these were full of birds, 100+ each of Skylarks and Reed Buntings, were joined by Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Stock Doves and Wood Pigeons, even a couple each of Grey Partridge and Mistle Thrush, best of all was a flock of 14 Woodlark, a late afternoon visit added 2 Hen Harriers.
Middle Spotted Woodpecker
A couple of Kilometres further on we were in the Crecy Forest, within minutes we had located the first of at least 4 Middle Spotted Woodpeckers seen there, Short-toed Treecreepers and Nuthatches seemed to be all around us, also Marsh, Great and Blue Tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and both Crests. Several stops around Crecy Forest saw much the same lots of birds.
Middle Spotted Woodpecker
Middle Spotted Woodpecker
Middle Spotted Woodpecker
Grey Partridge at Saille Bray, pity about the heat shimmer in February!
A slow drive along Saille Bray saw more Grey Partridges, Great White, Cattle and Little Egrets, Spoonbills, Stonechats, more Larks and Buntings and some Boxing Hares.
One of the White Storks at Saille Bray
Hares through the heat shimmer
Crested Tit at Marquanterre
A brief visit to Marquanterre before we headed back to Calais, as usual the car park was packed, but we still saw Crested Tits, more Storks and Egrets, also a calling Tawny Owl and plenty of Brimstones.
Another excellent day trip to Northern France, many thanks to Chris for doing the driving.
Lots of Brimstones were on the wing at Marquanterre
No comments:
Post a Comment