13/03/14 to 14/03/14. Northern France with friends

Thursday 13th March to Friday 14th March
France
With Chris W, Andrew K and  Christine H

While Paul took a holiday in Nepal we decided to go on our own over to Northern France for an overnight birdwatching trip.  This meant another 5 am start to get the early train to Calais from Folkestone and a subsequent drive south to the area where the battle of Crecy was fought by Henry II against the French and also taking in the area where the Battle of the Somme took place during World War I.

The weather was warm with no breeze but, unfortunately, this meant a lot of coastal mist for some of our visit.  There were several highlights and these are itemised below:-

At Le Parc du Marquenterre, a nature reserve near Abbeville we saw a spectacular display by over 40 Spoonbills as they flew over the lakes to roost in the nearby trees.  Many others were seen all over the reserve either feeding by the lake or roosting in the tall trees near the visitors centre.  This was the first time I had seen more than a single Spoonbill and the memories will linger long.

Spoonbills in flight
Library picture

 Equally impressive were the White Storks which were in even greater numbers.  Many were nesting in the same high trees and they moved all over the reserve to get food etc.  A particular feature for me was the bill "clapping" between courting couples which reminded me of the wing clapping of the Nightjar.

White Storks in flight
Library picture

White Storks
Library picture

 While walking round the reserve we came across several White Wagtails which added to the ambiance of the situation.

White Wagtail
Library picture

 We were particularly keen to see the 2 Night Herons that were on the reserve and after some difficulty we located them in the low trees around the pond.  They were barely 30 metres away but such was their camouflage that we nearly missed them - despite their huge size!

Night Heron
Library picture

 Our star item was the Crested Tit which we found at the end of our visit in the tall trees by the visitors centre.  This was a "lifer" for me and one I only expected to see in Scotland when Sue and I visit in May of this year. The views were really good and quite prolonged really.

Crested Tit
Library picture

Earlier we had visited the forests near Crecy to look for Black Woodpeckers and Middle-spotted Woodpeckers.  Although we had modest success we were after better views so we resolved to return on Friday for another look; unfortunately we fared even worse.

On Friday, after our unsuccessful visit to the forest, we moved to Bonnelle, just outside Sailly Bray, where the highlight was superb views of the Short-toed Treecreeper.  Sue and I looked for this in the parks of Amsterdam but we never found any so this was a really nice turn of events.  Another "lifer"!

Short-toed Treecreeper
Library picture

Our final treat was the Crested Lark we found in the sand dunes at Stella Plage.  This was a long shot that Andrew wanted to try.  His research had indicated that the bird was there but the dunes extended for miles and we thought our chances were slim.  Not so - within minutes we had our sighting and for over 30 minutes we enjoyed lovely views as the bird moved around.  This was my third "lifer" of the trip so I was particularly happy.

Crested Lark
Library picture

What a trip!  A species count of around 70 including some cracking new birds, 5 species of Butterfly with Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, French Blue??, Peacock and Brimstone and at least 5 Hares at Stella Plage.


Species List:
Nuthatch
Skylark
Avocet
Peregrine
Magpie
Shoveler
Pochard
Meadow Pipit
Chiffchaff
Black Woodpecker   (10)
Middle Woodpecker
Chaffinch
 Robin
Woodpigeon
Buzzard
Blackbird
Great Tit
Carrion Crow
Rook   
Long-tailed Tit   (20)
White Stork
Whooper Swan
Mute Swan
Little Egret
Great Egret
Spoonbill
White Wagtail
Teal
Wigeon   
Mallard   (30)
Starling
Tufted Duck
Pintail
Lapwing
Oystercatcher
Little Grebe
Great-crested Grebe
Crested Tit
Night Heron  
Grey Heron   (40)
Cormorant
Coot
Moorhen
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Shelduck
Black-tailed Godwit
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose. 
Crested Lark   (50)
Greenfinch
Song Thrush
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Stonechat
Wren
Cetti's Warbler   (heard)
Collared Dove
Ringed Plover
Goldcrest   (60)
Goldfinch
Crested Tit
Short-toed Treecreeper
Marsh Harrier
Mediterranean Gull
Corn Bunting
Ruff



Species count = 67



Accommodation inc. breakfast  (£45):
Ibis Budget  Le Treport les Bains
Avenue Pierre et Marie Curie
80350 MERS-LES-  BAINS
France
Tel +33(0)  8 92 68 08 15

Very good - impeccably clean and super breakfast.



Well worth the time and effort and for a total cost of just over £100.00