France 2013

What with the Needletail, Frigatebird and Bridled Tern, I was feeling quite twitchy over the last couple of weeks; realistically, I would never have twitched the two former species, but the Tern was looking quite attractive (and still is...). It was therefore actually a bit of a relief to jump in my parent's campervan and head to France for a week!

We headed to an area just south of Orleans, called the Sologne, via Rouen, and then returned north via Tours, Sees and Dieppe. Quite a lot of driving (1106.2 miles to be exact), and it would've been nice (from my perspective) to have more time in the Sologne - this is a fantastic area of woodland,  lakes, heathy areas, meadows and farmland, stuffed full of wildlife and bounded to the north by the Loire. 

The Loire - river wild

Woodland in the Sologne

L'Etang de Beaumont

My one and only avian target was Grey-headed Woodpecker. Unfortunately, I was relying on trip reports that were 10 (and in one case 15!) years old, and failed to find this species at the Canal de la Sauldre (and adjacent areas), despite plenty of suitable habitat. I guess looking for this species in the middle July isn't ideal, and it remains one of my biggest bogey birds in western Europe! 

The Canal de la Sauldre

Despite this disappointment, the birding was pretty good (given the time of year, and the fact that this wasn't a birding holiday). Best was an unexpected tick (albeit a Category C species) in the form of a female Reeve's Pheasant! 

An out-of-focus female Reeve's Pheasant

Other highlights in the Sologne included Black-necked Grebe, Purple Heron, Night-heron, Honey Buzzard, Osprey, Whiskered Tern, frequent Turtle Dove, Black Woodpecker (heard only), Middle Spotted Woodpecker (frequent), Melodious Warbler, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper (common), Red-backed Shrike and Golden Oriole. Elsewhere, additional species included Montagu's Harrier and White Stork (one at Jumiege, near Rouen).

Black-necked Grebe

Honey Buzzard

Honey Buzzard

Whiskered Tern

Little Egret

Middle Spotted Woodpecker

The butterflies were a little disappointing, although I clocked up 21 species including two ticks for me - Lesser Purple Emperor (despite one landing on me I couldn't get a photo), and Map. Mammals included Otter and Coypu (not Beaver!), and a probable Aesculapian Snake was the reptile highlight. Orchids were also few in number and diversity (again time of year being the problem), with only four species located - but Lizard Orchids were found growing in several places.

Lizard Orchid

Marbled Fritillary

Map

Coypu

Finally, we also watched the Tour de France. Several hours of build up for about 20 seconds of action, but quite amazing nevertheless. Go Chris Froome!

Team Sky front left!