Thursday 26th May (Hot Spring by the Hot Spring)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over the Auvergne. The sun shone in the clear blue sky. Today Mr. Kite was feeling lazy so he put The Superscope on a tripod and sat on a chair eating and drinking whilst watching Red Kites, Black Kites, Honey Buzzards, Chaffinch and lots of other common birds. With a one eighty degree panorama and miles of viewing area Mr. Kite sat in the sun and watched and watched and watched. Later Mr. Kite heard a Cuckoo and His Lady demanded to see the bird. Mr. Kite scoured every tree in the Auvergne and still did not locate it.
Eventually Mr. Kite decided that to drown his sorrows he would have a tipple of Kronenbourg. Mr. Kite gave His Lady a few bottles and she then forgot about the damned Cuckoo and went to sleep. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Saturday 28th May (The Eagle has Landed on a Snake)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the forests of the Auvergne. Cuckoo’s sang, fir trees swayed and the sun shone on Robins and Black Redstarts.
Soon Mr. Kite was on The Beast and pedaling uphill for miles towards Lascols and Cussac. Overhead Honey Buzzards, Red Kite and Black Kite soared. Now Mr. Kite had a mission and that was to reach the plateau and watch the birds on this marshy area.
To cut a long story short, and to reduce the tedium of the long ascent, Mr. Kite reached les Ternes where he left the main road and cycled west steadily climbing towards the marshy plateau. With a twenty year old map Mr. Kite soon realized his position on the new road and headed for Mallesanges. Just past this hamlet Mr. Kite stopped to watch Whinchat, Wheatear, Meadow Pipits and a Red-backed Shrike.
With a clear blue sky these birds were stunning. Mr. Kite then cycled to Alleuzet turned left and then headed towards Cussac turning right just before the village and cycling towards Lascols.
Now after a fifteen miles bike ride on the beast to a plateau mentioned in a book; ‘Wildlife Travelling Companion France’ by Bob Gibbons and Paul Davies; was it worth it?
Mr. Kite’s simple answer is yes, yes and yes. The first bird he watched was a Short-toed Eagle that dropped onto a snake and then flew around with the dangling reptile. Red Kites, Black Kites, Peregrine Falcons, and the odd Hobby flew by hassled by a Lapwing. Another eagle appeared, probably a Golden Eagle. More Short-toed Eagles hovered and dropped on reptiles. After a few hours Mr. Kite returned via Fressanges, Vernuejot, Costeirac and Neuveglise to Pont de Lanau.
After a great day watching birds Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from a happy Mr. Kite; and as the postcards say, ‘Wish you were here’.
Monday 30 May 2011
Tuesday 31st May (Rain, Pastures New and Toilet Paper)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window and was surprised to see rain. The air was still, the clouds grey, the birds silent and leaves dropped particles of water. Mr. Kite thought that the Auvergne needs some rain to help the grass grow and feed those magnificent Auvergne cattle that produce one of the most special tasty and yumshush cheese called Laguiole.
Today Mr. Kite and His Lady were leaving heaven for 'pastures new'. They had enjoyed themselves at Le Belvedere at Pont de Lanau and remembered the hot springs of Chaudes-Aigues but all good things come to an end.
In the rain Mr. Kite and His Lady sped off in The Joint over misty mountains, down drizzly dales and along rain soaked roads. A few hours later The Joint was parked at Villerest overlooking the lake with rain still pouring down.
Now Mr. Kite had intended to ride The Beast around the lake, that is part of The River Loire, and watch birds but in the gloom and cold Mr. Kite and His Lady ended up on a campsite. The Joint was parked on a sodden emplacement and the central heating system put on.
However on this gloomy day there is good news and bad news. The good news is that The Joint is receiving WiFi but the bad news is that it costs money. Mr. Kite is tight; some would say, in bird terms, as tight as a duck's ****, but to have 'The Net' is great.
Mr. Kite and His Lady use The Net often to find things out. Today they learned that Andrex have brought out a new range of toilet rolls called Bright and Bold. You might ask why a bird blog would mention a new range of toilet rolls? The answer is that the packaging contains a picture of two Flamingos. Having recently watched Greater Flamingos and seen their remarkable shape, size and colour Mr. Kite finds its inappropriate to put such a magnificent bird on something to wipe your backside with.
Today Mr. Kite had a tipple of Tetley tea as he listened to a few notes of a Golden Oriole. Cheers from a damp France.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window and was surprised to see rain. The air was still, the clouds grey, the birds silent and leaves dropped particles of water. Mr. Kite thought that the Auvergne needs some rain to help the grass grow and feed those magnificent Auvergne cattle that produce one of the most special tasty and yumshush cheese called Laguiole.
Today Mr. Kite and His Lady were leaving heaven for 'pastures new'. They had enjoyed themselves at Le Belvedere at Pont de Lanau and remembered the hot springs of Chaudes-Aigues but all good things come to an end.
In the rain Mr. Kite and His Lady sped off in The Joint over misty mountains, down drizzly dales and along rain soaked roads. A few hours later The Joint was parked at Villerest overlooking the lake with rain still pouring down.
Now Mr. Kite had intended to ride The Beast around the lake, that is part of The River Loire, and watch birds but in the gloom and cold Mr. Kite and His Lady ended up on a campsite. The Joint was parked on a sodden emplacement and the central heating system put on.
However on this gloomy day there is good news and bad news. The good news is that The Joint is receiving WiFi but the bad news is that it costs money. Mr. Kite is tight; some would say, in bird terms, as tight as a duck's ****, but to have 'The Net' is great.
Mr. Kite and His Lady use The Net often to find things out. Today they learned that Andrex have brought out a new range of toilet rolls called Bright and Bold. You might ask why a bird blog would mention a new range of toilet rolls? The answer is that the packaging contains a picture of two Flamingos. Having recently watched Greater Flamingos and seen their remarkable shape, size and colour Mr. Kite finds its inappropriate to put such a magnificent bird on something to wipe your backside with.
Today Mr. Kite had a tipple of Tetley tea as he listened to a few notes of a Golden Oriole. Cheers from a damp France.
Monday 30th May (Looking into the Treetop)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see a bird on top of a fir tree. Now Mr. Kite had seen this bird there before but was too lazy to identify it. Today Mr. Kite took out The Superscope and aimed it at the bird singing on top of a fir tree.
Mr. Kite will desribe this colourful little chap. A small elegant chat with a grey back, reddish tail and front, black head with a black bib and a white streak over the eye; a Common Redstart. In the morning sun this was a stunning sight made possible by making the effort to look. Now this made Mr. Kite think; if you are a bird-watcher then do not be a lazy bird-watcher. Look at everything that flies, sings and has feathers.
With this in mind Mr. Kite sat by Pont de Lanau and watched colourful birds such as Grey Wagtails, Grey Herons and Red Kites. Grey Wagtails bobbed along the riverbank; Grey Herons ate the tiddlers and Red Kites soared around flexing their tails.
By late afternoon and another great day watching birds Mr. Kite settled down for a tipple of Leffe Radieuse, a bite of Laguiole cheese and nap in heaven. Cheers from Mr. Kite. ‘Wish you were here’.
Sunday 29th May (Sitting in the Sun)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a misty valley. A few trees could be seen nearby and a Chaffinch sang. Soon the mist cleared and in a bright blue sunny sky Mr. Kite set off on The Beast to Lascols.
Slowly Mr. Kite crawled up the hill for five miles before stopping on the plateau to watch a Honey Buzzard soaring over a meadow of spring flowers. Mr. Kite then heard a Quail close by. Now Quails are mighty difficult to spot so Mr. Kite stood, scoured and searched the field of growing cereal for it. This Quail did not want to be seen so it stopped making a noise; after a while, about fifteen minutes, Mr. Kite decided not to play ‘Spot the Quail’.
Soon Mr. Kite was sitting in the sunny Lascols looking over a dried up marshy area that is well known for wild fowl in winter. Today Lapwings and Curlew took to the air to fend off the Red and Black Kites that showed an interest in the fledglings that the parents had carefully reared.
In the hot sun, with a bottle of Eau Minerale Quezac to quench his thirst, Mr. Kite watched raptors soaring, gliding, manouevre and give showing off aerial displays. About every hour a Short-toed Eagle would pay Mr. Kite a visit. This large powerful light coloured bird came to find food in the trickle of a stream. Knowing Mr. Kite likes reptiles and birds the eagles hovered close to Mr. Kite, above Mr. Kite and high above Mr. Kite. Today the eagle landed a number of times but took off ‘empty handed’.
Towards late afternoon Mr. decided to call it a day; in fact it was a great day watching birds. The outward trip is uphill; so the inward trip is downhill. Soon Mr. Kite was not pedaling at all and gliding down the roads to Pont de Lanau stopping to watch Whinchat, Wheatear’s and possibly an Ortolan Bunting.
After a refreshing shower Mr. Kite sat by The Joint with His Lady and had a cool tipple of Leffe Radieuse looking out over La Truyere. Now Mr. Kite will let you into a secret: Mr. Kite loves cheese. In the Auvergne a cheese called Laguiole is made. This cheese ate whilst drinking Leffe is magic. Cheers from heaven where birds soar, cool Leffe is drank, Laguiole cheese is ate and the weather is warm. ‘Wish you were here’.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a misty valley. A few trees could be seen nearby and a Chaffinch sang. Soon the mist cleared and in a bright blue sunny sky Mr. Kite set off on The Beast to Lascols.
Slowly Mr. Kite crawled up the hill for five miles before stopping on the plateau to watch a Honey Buzzard soaring over a meadow of spring flowers. Mr. Kite then heard a Quail close by. Now Quails are mighty difficult to spot so Mr. Kite stood, scoured and searched the field of growing cereal for it. This Quail did not want to be seen so it stopped making a noise; after a while, about fifteen minutes, Mr. Kite decided not to play ‘Spot the Quail’.
Soon Mr. Kite was sitting in the sunny Lascols looking over a dried up marshy area that is well known for wild fowl in winter. Today Lapwings and Curlew took to the air to fend off the Red and Black Kites that showed an interest in the fledglings that the parents had carefully reared.
In the hot sun, with a bottle of Eau Minerale Quezac to quench his thirst, Mr. Kite watched raptors soaring, gliding, manouevre and give showing off aerial displays. About every hour a Short-toed Eagle would pay Mr. Kite a visit. This large powerful light coloured bird came to find food in the trickle of a stream. Knowing Mr. Kite likes reptiles and birds the eagles hovered close to Mr. Kite, above Mr. Kite and high above Mr. Kite. Today the eagle landed a number of times but took off ‘empty handed’.
Towards late afternoon Mr. decided to call it a day; in fact it was a great day watching birds. The outward trip is uphill; so the inward trip is downhill. Soon Mr. Kite was not pedaling at all and gliding down the roads to Pont de Lanau stopping to watch Whinchat, Wheatear’s and possibly an Ortolan Bunting.
After a refreshing shower Mr. Kite sat by The Joint with His Lady and had a cool tipple of Leffe Radieuse looking out over La Truyere. Now Mr. Kite will let you into a secret: Mr. Kite loves cheese. In the Auvergne a cheese called Laguiole is made. This cheese ate whilst drinking Leffe is magic. Cheers from heaven where birds soar, cool Leffe is drank, Laguiole cheese is ate and the weather is warm. ‘Wish you were here’.
Saturday 28 May 2011
Saturday 28th May (The Eagle has Landed)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the forests of the Auvergne. Cuckoo’s sang, fir trees swayed and the sun shone on Robins and Black Redstarts.
Soon Mr. Kite was on The Beast and pedaling uphill for miles towards Lascols and Cussac. Overhead Honey Buzzards, Red Kite and Black Kite soared. Now Mr. Kite had a mission and that was to reach the plateau and watch the birds on this marshy area.
To cut a long story short, and to reduce the tedium of the long ascent, Mr. Kite reached les Ternes where he left the main road and cycled west steadily climbing towards the marshy plateau. With a twenty year old map Mr. Kite soon realized his position on the new road and headed for Mallesanges. Just past this hamlet Mr. Kite stopped to watch Whinchat, Wheatear, Meadow Pipits and a Red-backed Shrike.
With a clear blue sky these birds were stunning. Mr. Kite then cycled to Alleuzet turned left and then headed towards Cussac turning right just before the village and cycling towards Lascols.
Now after a fifteen miles bike ride on the beast to a plateau mentioned in a book; ‘Wildlife Travelling Companion France’ by Bob Gibbons and Paul Davies; was it worth it?
Mr. Kite’s simple answer is yes, yes and yes. The first bird he watched was a Short-toed Eagle that dropped onto a snake and then flew around with the dangling reptile. Red Kites, Black Kites, Peregrine Falcons, and the odd Hobby flew by hassled by a Lapwing. Another eagle appeared, probably a Golden Eagle. More Short-toed Eagles hovered and dropped on reptiles. After a few hours Mr. Kite returned via Fressanges, Vernuejot, Costeirac and Neuveglise to Pont de Lanau.
After a great day watching birds Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from a happy Mr. Kite; and as the postcards say, ‘Wish you were here’.
Friday 27 May 2011
Friday 27th May (Boiling an Egg)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a herd of Aubrac cattle feeding in the green meadows of the Auvergne. Now these lucky creatures did not have to walk about feeding but just sat on the green grass, lean forward and chew the cud.
Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were sitting by the hot springs in Chaudes-Aigues watching an egg boil in the steaming spring. This egg would not turn into an Auvernean Chicken enjoying the picking of the rich and fertile landscape but a lunch time sandwich to be eaten by a very attractive young lady. After a visit to the town and wash-house Mr. Kite and His Lady headed for le Belevedere where they parked The Joint on a terrace looking out down a valley.
In the warm sunshine and blue sky Red Kites, Honey Buzzards and Grey Heron flew around. In the late afternoon Mr. Kite went for a walk up a hill where he watched a family of Wrens flying from tree to tree supervised by noisy parents. One fledgling came and sat on a branch a few away from Mr. Kite and expected to be fed but soon realised Mr. Kite was not a meal ticket and flew away.
To celebrate another good day, and to quench his thirst, Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and had a tipple of Pelforth Blonde. Whilst enjoying his ice cold Pelforth Blonde Mr. Kite saw a Pelican. Some people would say that was because Mr. Kite had drunk too much and Pelicans do not live in France. There is some truth in both these remarks but this Pelican was on the label of the Pelforth Blonde bottle. So Mr. Kite would advise any in France wishing to see a Pelican to buy a bottle of Pelforth Blonde. Cheers from Mr. Kite who has lost count of the number of Pelicans he can see.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a herd of Aubrac cattle feeding in the green meadows of the Auvergne. Now these lucky creatures did not have to walk about feeding but just sat on the green grass, lean forward and chew the cud.
Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were sitting by the hot springs in Chaudes-Aigues watching an egg boil in the steaming spring. This egg would not turn into an Auvernean Chicken enjoying the picking of the rich and fertile landscape but a lunch time sandwich to be eaten by a very attractive young lady. After a visit to the town and wash-house Mr. Kite and His Lady headed for le Belevedere where they parked The Joint on a terrace looking out down a valley.
In the warm sunshine and blue sky Red Kites, Honey Buzzards and Grey Heron flew around. In the late afternoon Mr. Kite went for a walk up a hill where he watched a family of Wrens flying from tree to tree supervised by noisy parents. One fledgling came and sat on a branch a few away from Mr. Kite and expected to be fed but soon realised Mr. Kite was not a meal ticket and flew away.
To celebrate another good day, and to quench his thirst, Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and had a tipple of Pelforth Blonde. Whilst enjoying his ice cold Pelforth Blonde Mr. Kite saw a Pelican. Some people would say that was because Mr. Kite had drunk too much and Pelicans do not live in France. There is some truth in both these remarks but this Pelican was on the label of the Pelforth Blonde bottle. So Mr. Kite would advise any in France wishing to see a Pelican to buy a bottle of Pelforth Blonde. Cheers from Mr. Kite who has lost count of the number of Pelicans he can see.
Wednesday 25th May (Airport)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sunny sky and the houses of Rodez. The Incapacitants birding competition was heading towards a draw. With six needed for Mr. Kite to win The Incapacitants scoured the surrounding trees, bushes, house roofs and bird cages for a few more species. They cycled along the river and back down the other side spotting a warbler but did not have time to identify it before it flew into the bushes.
At midday they called it a draw and went to the airport. Mr. Kite and His Lady said their farewells to Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' before packing him off on a Ryanair jet. He flew away and Mr. Kite and His Lady drove to Chaudes-Aigues and camped on a hillside.
Birds sang, raptors flew and the heat made Mr. Kite very, very thirsty. So he had a few tipples of Pelforth Blonde. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sunny sky and the houses of Rodez. The Incapacitants birding competition was heading towards a draw. With six needed for Mr. Kite to win The Incapacitants scoured the surrounding trees, bushes, house roofs and bird cages for a few more species. They cycled along the river and back down the other side spotting a warbler but did not have time to identify it before it flew into the bushes.
At midday they called it a draw and went to the airport. Mr. Kite and His Lady said their farewells to Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' before packing him off on a Ryanair jet. He flew away and Mr. Kite and His Lady drove to Chaudes-Aigues and camped on a hillside.
Birds sang, raptors flew and the heat made Mr. Kite very, very thirsty. So he had a few tipples of Pelforth Blonde. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Tuesday 24th May (Rodez)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window for the last time near le Rozier on a bright spring morning. Today was a day to travel to Rodez prior to the airport.
In the warm sunshine it was a slow trip from le Rozier to Rodez. Few birds were spotted. Now in the afternoon it was time for the 'last BBQ' and tipple of Kronenbourg before Mr. Kite's 'birding companion returned to 'cool Britannia'. Cheers from Mr. Kites who has visited the gorgeous gorges.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window for the last time near le Rozier on a bright spring morning. Today was a day to travel to Rodez prior to the airport.
In the warm sunshine it was a slow trip from le Rozier to Rodez. Few birds were spotted. Now in the afternoon it was time for the 'last BBQ' and tipple of Kronenbourg before Mr. Kite's 'birding companion returned to 'cool Britannia'. Cheers from Mr. Kites who has visited the gorgeous gorges.
Monday 23rd May ( Barmy Bunny Attacks The Beast)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a crystal blue sunlight Tarn in the Gorges du Tarn. Today The Incapacitants were heading uphill with The Superscope to watch vultures and eagles. After a leisurely breakfast they set off on the road from le Rozier to Montpellier-le-Vieux. Just out of the village The Incapacitants stopped to look at a map of the area on a signpost. Mr. Kite parked The Beast by a hedge and walked towards the map when a mad French bunny rushed from under a tree and head butted the rear wheel on The Beast. Now Mr. Kite has just spend fifty euros on a new back wheel so he walked towards the barmy bunny who was butting the back wheel. Seeing Mr. Kite the barmy bunny climbed up the back wheel onto the saddle leapt off and ran away. Luckily The Beast was unshaken by such a vicious unprovoked attack and the trip continued.
In the hot sun The Incapacitants cycled miles to the top of a hill and put The Superscope on a mound and surveyed the surrounding area. Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Eagles, Subalpine Warblers and Honey Buzzards were spotted. After a few hours of scorching The Incapacitants returned to the campsite for a few cold beers before the next bird-watching activity.
With the Kanterbrau safely inside The Incapacitants they set out on a boat bird-watching expedition up the Gorges du Tarn. Now The Incapacitants are competent cyclists but not sailors so the minium equipment was taken to 'ride the rapids'. Binoculars were left behind to save them drowning. On this trip they spotted Mallards, Green Woodpeckers, Pied Wagtails, a Water Dipper and a Spotted Flycatcher. Two hours later the boating expedition was over; the rapid negotiated and The Kayak not Titaniced.
Now every night a Scop's Owl had made a noise on the adjacent hillside so The Incapacitants set out to find it as dusk fell. Tonight it was silent and could not be found; a rather teasing thing to do. But they did spot a Hoopoe and a Rock Sparrow and when darkness came four glowbugs came to light.
After a good day The Incapitants had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite in the warm gorges.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a crystal blue sunlight Tarn in the Gorges du Tarn. Today The Incapacitants were heading uphill with The Superscope to watch vultures and eagles. After a leisurely breakfast they set off on the road from le Rozier to Montpellier-le-Vieux. Just out of the village The Incapacitants stopped to look at a map of the area on a signpost. Mr. Kite parked The Beast by a hedge and walked towards the map when a mad French bunny rushed from under a tree and head butted the rear wheel on The Beast. Now Mr. Kite has just spend fifty euros on a new back wheel so he walked towards the barmy bunny who was butting the back wheel. Seeing Mr. Kite the barmy bunny climbed up the back wheel onto the saddle leapt off and ran away. Luckily The Beast was unshaken by such a vicious unprovoked attack and the trip continued.
In the hot sun The Incapacitants cycled miles to the top of a hill and put The Superscope on a mound and surveyed the surrounding area. Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Eagles, Subalpine Warblers and Honey Buzzards were spotted. After a few hours of scorching The Incapacitants returned to the campsite for a few cold beers before the next bird-watching activity.
With the Kanterbrau safely inside The Incapacitants they set out on a boat bird-watching expedition up the Gorges du Tarn. Now The Incapacitants are competent cyclists but not sailors so the minium equipment was taken to 'ride the rapids'. Binoculars were left behind to save them drowning. On this trip they spotted Mallards, Green Woodpeckers, Pied Wagtails, a Water Dipper and a Spotted Flycatcher. Two hours later the boating expedition was over; the rapid negotiated and The Kayak not Titaniced.
Now every night a Scop's Owl had made a noise on the adjacent hillside so The Incapacitants set out to find it as dusk fell. Tonight it was silent and could not be found; a rather teasing thing to do. But they did spot a Hoopoe and a Rock Sparrow and when darkness came four glowbugs came to light.
After a good day The Incapitants had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite in the warm gorges.
Sunday 22 May 2011
Sunday 22nd May (Three Steps to Heaven)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto the Gorge du Tarn. The water was blue and green and very pretty.
Soon after breakfast The Incapacitants went on their birding expedition on a blue sunny morning. With a few vultures flying overhead they headed to Croix du Caplac for a grandstand view of the birds around the Gorge do Tarn. The climb to the top started on roads, then onto tracks, rocks and gritty paths. Soon The Incapacitants were pulling themselves up ropes fastened to rock faces and then for the final ascend three ladders to heaven.
With the wind blowing a few vultures soared by in search of food. Then they returned to the campsite for a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers from a warm Mr. Kite sitting with vultures.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto the Gorge du Tarn. The water was blue and green and very pretty.
Soon after breakfast The Incapacitants went on their birding expedition on a blue sunny morning. With a few vultures flying overhead they headed to Croix du Caplac for a grandstand view of the birds around the Gorge do Tarn. The climb to the top started on roads, then onto tracks, rocks and gritty paths. Soon The Incapacitants were pulling themselves up ropes fastened to rock faces and then for the final ascend three ladders to heaven.
With the wind blowing a few vultures soared by in search of food. Then they returned to the campsite for a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers from a warm Mr. Kite sitting with vultures.
Saturday 21 May 2011
Saturday 21st May (Two Gorges, Fourty Miles and Too Much Beer)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over the sparkling Tarn onto a hillside where a Griffon Vulture was circling. Not every bedroom window looks out to see a vulture so Mr. Kite felt pleased.
Today The Incapacitants had planned a bird-watching trip. After a slow start and breakfast they were off. Into le Rozier to see Crag Martin, Swallows, Pied Wagtails and Starlings. Then a slow ascent up the Jonte Gorge watching at least fifty Griffon Vultures soaring and circling in front of the paying audience seated in the view point. Just up the road a solitary Black Vulture glided along the cliff edge. This bird was darker, almost black, larger with slightly different shaped wings.
Red-billed Choughs sat in holes in the cliffs and further along a group of noisy Alpine Chough, with their yellow shorter bills, flew around a cliff where a pair a Alpine Swifts zoomed around the sky. Now that was a good sight watching the large Swifts with white undersides gliding powerfully around the cliff face. In the warm sunshine it was a real pleasure to watch Chough and Swifts of the Alpine variety.
At les Douzes it was all uphill past les Bastides to la Parade where The Incapacitants watched Short-toed Eagles, Kestrels and Honey Buzzards. A few smaller birds were spotted Stonechat, Blue Tit and Great Tit. The trip continued on the plateau past Carnac turning left and heading towards la Malene.
Mr. Kite has had some thrilling descents on The Beast; Ventoux, Col de Tourmemelt and others. But the short descent along the zig-zag road into la Malene was pretty exciting for The Incapacitants. At the start the windy steep road was visible with walls, barriers, rocks, poles and signs. With brakes off the speed rapidly increased, brakes on for the corner, around it and more speed. Brakes on to keep the beast under control; of the alternative would be a trip over a wall into a gorge. Within a few minutes the descent had ended in la Malene in the Gorge du Tarn. Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' did not spot the Rock Bunting half way down; what a miss.
The Incapacitants then slowly cycled along the Gorges du Tarn towards le Rozier and the campsite. At the end of an exciting day Mr. Kite and His Lady and Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' sat on the banks of the Tarn enjoying tipple after tipple with a few more tipples of Kronenbourg. Cheers from the warm and Gorgeous Gorges.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over the sparkling Tarn onto a hillside where a Griffon Vulture was circling. Not every bedroom window looks out to see a vulture so Mr. Kite felt pleased.
Today The Incapacitants had planned a bird-watching trip. After a slow start and breakfast they were off. Into le Rozier to see Crag Martin, Swallows, Pied Wagtails and Starlings. Then a slow ascent up the Jonte Gorge watching at least fifty Griffon Vultures soaring and circling in front of the paying audience seated in the view point. Just up the road a solitary Black Vulture glided along the cliff edge. This bird was darker, almost black, larger with slightly different shaped wings.
Red-billed Choughs sat in holes in the cliffs and further along a group of noisy Alpine Chough, with their yellow shorter bills, flew around a cliff where a pair a Alpine Swifts zoomed around the sky. Now that was a good sight watching the large Swifts with white undersides gliding powerfully around the cliff face. In the warm sunshine it was a real pleasure to watch Chough and Swifts of the Alpine variety.
At les Douzes it was all uphill past les Bastides to la Parade where The Incapacitants watched Short-toed Eagles, Kestrels and Honey Buzzards. A few smaller birds were spotted Stonechat, Blue Tit and Great Tit. The trip continued on the plateau past Carnac turning left and heading towards la Malene.
Mr. Kite has had some thrilling descents on The Beast; Ventoux, Col de Tourmemelt and others. But the short descent along the zig-zag road into la Malene was pretty exciting for The Incapacitants. At the start the windy steep road was visible with walls, barriers, rocks, poles and signs. With brakes off the speed rapidly increased, brakes on for the corner, around it and more speed. Brakes on to keep the beast under control; of the alternative would be a trip over a wall into a gorge. Within a few minutes the descent had ended in la Malene in the Gorge du Tarn. Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' did not spot the Rock Bunting half way down; what a miss.
The Incapacitants then slowly cycled along the Gorges du Tarn towards le Rozier and the campsite. At the end of an exciting day Mr. Kite and His Lady and Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' sat on the banks of the Tarn enjoying tipple after tipple with a few more tipples of Kronenbourg. Cheers from the warm and Gorgeous Gorges.
Friday 20th May (The Beast Breaks a Wheel and The Joint Sinks)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the trees where a Chaffinch was sitting. Today it was time to move the short distance to le Rozier where the Dourbe and Tarn meet. Soon The Joint and it's occupants were on a campsite near le Rozier. The sun shone and the river was blue and soon they would be bird-watching, cycling and enjoying The Gorges.
Reversing The Joint into a pitch a branch leapt out from a tree and broke the rear wheel of The Beast. Moving forward The Joint sunk into a soft sandy patch on the river bank. Two disaster in less than a minute was not expected. Soon a four by four was summoned to pull The Joint fro The Quagmire. One problem solved then it was the turn of The Beast to have a new wheel. A quick trip into Millau, some French technical terms and fifty euros later The Beast was back in action.
Now being late afternoon, and the blue sky turning grey it was time to watch the Mallards on the river and enjoy a tipple of Kanterbrau. Cheers from Mr. Kite about to explore the Gorges du Tarn.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the trees where a Chaffinch was sitting. Today it was time to move the short distance to le Rozier where the Dourbe and Tarn meet. Soon The Joint and it's occupants were on a campsite near le Rozier. The sun shone and the river was blue and soon they would be bird-watching, cycling and enjoying The Gorges.
Reversing The Joint into a pitch a branch leapt out from a tree and broke the rear wheel of The Beast. Moving forward The Joint sunk into a soft sandy patch on the river bank. Two disaster in less than a minute was not expected. Soon a four by four was summoned to pull The Joint fro The Quagmire. One problem solved then it was the turn of The Beast to have a new wheel. A quick trip into Millau, some French technical terms and fifty euros later The Beast was back in action.
Now being late afternoon, and the blue sky turning grey it was time to watch the Mallards on the river and enjoy a tipple of Kanterbrau. Cheers from Mr. Kite about to explore the Gorges du Tarn.
Thursday 19 May 2011
Thursday 19th May (Underneath the Arches)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a tree with a Robin sitting and joining into the 'dawn chorus'. It was just after daybreak and the sun was slowly rising in the sky.
After a lazy morning it was a trip 'underneath the arches', designed by Norman Foster, to a few villages to watch birds. Common Buzzards flew in the sky, Orioles sang from the top of trees and Yellow-legged Gulls loitered around the Tarn looking for food.
Bird-watching was 'put on hold' whilst The Incapacitants inspected the Millau Bridge; and very impressive it was towering above the 'resting bird-watchers'. A Kestrel glided around the top of the structure. So Mr. Kite can now say that he has driven over the bridge, cycled under the bridge and walked around the bridge.
Having seen the remarkable bridge from all positions it was time to continue the gentle ride towards Peyre; an attractive village on the banks of the Tarn. Overhead Chough and Jackdaws chattered whilst Black Redstarts and Pied Wagtails sat on the building built into the cliffs.
Continuing the trip to Compregnac Grey Herons and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and Black Kites circled above. Now in Compregnac Golden Orioles could be heard near the river so The Incapacitants sat for an hour scouring the tree tops for these elusive yellow and black birds. None were spotted so by late afternoon they returned to Millau to enjoy a few tipples of Kanterbrau.
Cheers from 'underneath the arches'.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a tree with a Robin sitting and joining into the 'dawn chorus'. It was just after daybreak and the sun was slowly rising in the sky.
After a lazy morning it was a trip 'underneath the arches', designed by Norman Foster, to a few villages to watch birds. Common Buzzards flew in the sky, Orioles sang from the top of trees and Yellow-legged Gulls loitered around the Tarn looking for food.
Bird-watching was 'put on hold' whilst The Incapacitants inspected the Millau Bridge; and very impressive it was towering above the 'resting bird-watchers'. A Kestrel glided around the top of the structure. So Mr. Kite can now say that he has driven over the bridge, cycled under the bridge and walked around the bridge.
Having seen the remarkable bridge from all positions it was time to continue the gentle ride towards Peyre; an attractive village on the banks of the Tarn. Overhead Chough and Jackdaws chattered whilst Black Redstarts and Pied Wagtails sat on the building built into the cliffs.
Continuing the trip to Compregnac Grey Herons and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and Black Kites circled above. Now in Compregnac Golden Orioles could be heard near the river so The Incapacitants sat for an hour scouring the tree tops for these elusive yellow and black birds. None were spotted so by late afternoon they returned to Millau to enjoy a few tipples of Kanterbrau.
Cheers from 'underneath the arches'.
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Tuesday 17th May (Montpellier-le-Vieux)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the early morning 'hand-gliders' drifting from the hill top to the adjacent field. Above, below and alongside the 'human flyers' their feathered friends also enjoyed the warm air.
Soon The Incapacitants were cycling uphill to Montpellier-le Vieux. The first five miles was a gentle climb flattening out onto a plateau where pine tree forests were interspersed with flowering meadows. On this warm calm day butterflies and insects filled the air and the scented smell of flowers wafted along the road. The bird count was low; but that did not matter. Common Whitethroats and Stonechats were spotted and a Hoopoe heard.
Reaching Montpellier The Incapacitants stopped to survey the views and scour the area for birds. Not much was seen. Now the return trip was easy a gentle ride stopping occasionally to look at the Millau Bridge, Rock Buntings, Griffon Vultures and a pair of eagles. These eagles soared and circled over a large area in the three minutes they were visible. Mr. Kite would say that these fast flying impressive birds were Bonelli's Eagles but the view made a positive identification difficult. Whatever a pair of majestic eagles flying around is good enough.
Now this being Tuesday the bar in The Joint was open early; just as The Incapacitants arrived back on site. The aged duo then sampled tipples of Kronenbourg, Kanterbrau and Mormandy Cidre. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the early morning 'hand-gliders' drifting from the hill top to the adjacent field. Above, below and alongside the 'human flyers' their feathered friends also enjoyed the warm air.
Soon The Incapacitants were cycling uphill to Montpellier-le Vieux. The first five miles was a gentle climb flattening out onto a plateau where pine tree forests were interspersed with flowering meadows. On this warm calm day butterflies and insects filled the air and the scented smell of flowers wafted along the road. The bird count was low; but that did not matter. Common Whitethroats and Stonechats were spotted and a Hoopoe heard.
Reaching Montpellier The Incapacitants stopped to survey the views and scour the area for birds. Not much was seen. Now the return trip was easy a gentle ride stopping occasionally to look at the Millau Bridge, Rock Buntings, Griffon Vultures and a pair of eagles. These eagles soared and circled over a large area in the three minutes they were visible. Mr. Kite would say that these fast flying impressive birds were Bonelli's Eagles but the view made a positive identification difficult. Whatever a pair of majestic eagles flying around is good enough.
Now this being Tuesday the bar in The Joint was open early; just as The Incapacitants arrived back on site. The aged duo then sampled tipples of Kronenbourg, Kanterbrau and Mormandy Cidre. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Monday 16th May (Millau and Vultures)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a sky with some cloud and some sunshine. Today The Joint and it's occupants were on their travels to Millau to bird-watch, drink and play cards. Driving towards Millau the clouds disappeared and a big bright sun shone. Now what could be better, camping in the warm sun.
A campsite was found birds spotted before The Incapacitants set off on their bikes towards le Rozier. Within one mile Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' had the first puncture of the trip. After a repair it was all systems go; picking the odd cherry from the trees and spotting goldfinch, house sparrows and a Griffon Vulture. Then a few more vultures with eagles high up and unidentifiable before the next puncture and a return to The Joint passing through la Cresse and Paulhe.
On return the bar was open and it was free beer for the occupants of pitch sixteen as they had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Millau.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a sky with some cloud and some sunshine. Today The Joint and it's occupants were on their travels to Millau to bird-watch, drink and play cards. Driving towards Millau the clouds disappeared and a big bright sun shone. Now what could be better, camping in the warm sun.
A campsite was found birds spotted before The Incapacitants set off on their bikes towards le Rozier. Within one mile Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' had the first puncture of the trip. After a repair it was all systems go; picking the odd cherry from the trees and spotting goldfinch, house sparrows and a Griffon Vulture. Then a few more vultures with eagles high up and unidentifiable before the next puncture and a return to The Joint passing through la Cresse and Paulhe.
On return the bar was open and it was free beer for the occupants of pitch sixteen as they had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Millau.
Sunday 15th May (Airport On)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see lots of competitive cyclists preparing for the mountain bike competition. The rain had stopped and the sky was clearing. Mr. Kite sat on the campsite and watched Black Redstarts, Jays and Greenfinches.
Now Mr. Kite had arranged to pick up 'his birding companion' from Rodez airport. At four in the afternoon Mr. Kite and His Lady took The Joint to Rodez airport to watch the landing of an aircraft. Soon a blue and white twin engined metallic object appeared and landed on the runway before making lots of noise. Ten minutes later Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' was in The Joint and heading towards Rodez.
In the late afternoon sunshine the birding competition was on they they all enjoyed a tipple of Normandy Cidre and Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite and His Lady and The Incapacitants.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see lots of competitive cyclists preparing for the mountain bike competition. The rain had stopped and the sky was clearing. Mr. Kite sat on the campsite and watched Black Redstarts, Jays and Greenfinches.
Now Mr. Kite had arranged to pick up 'his birding companion' from Rodez airport. At four in the afternoon Mr. Kite and His Lady took The Joint to Rodez airport to watch the landing of an aircraft. Soon a blue and white twin engined metallic object appeared and landed on the runway before making lots of noise. Ten minutes later Mr. Kite's 'birding companion' was in The Joint and heading towards Rodez.
In the late afternoon sunshine the birding competition was on they they all enjoyed a tipple of Normandy Cidre and Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite and His Lady and The Incapacitants.
Tuesday 10th May (Nature Notes from a Naturist)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto the blue Mediterranean Sea. With Swifts screeching across the sky and Nightingales singing from every bush Mr. Kite went to a local nature reserve near Marsellian-Plage. Now this reserve was squalid and depressing with broken building. dumped fridges and rubbish left to corrode.
So Mr. Kite thought he would watch birds by the clear blue Mediterranean Sea. Pushing The Beast along a track Mr. Kite soon reached the plage where Mediterranean Gulls flew around and the odd Common Tern. Mr. Kite was not too well dressed in his grey shorts and brown sandals but the sun-bathers were 'au naturelle'; not a stitch. Nature watching is very entertaining but naturist watching takes precedent when the sky is blue, the air is hot and the birds are scarce.
For three hours Mr. Kite sat on the beach taking nature notes about the natural world as a naturist. With hundreds of naked bodies on view three hours was not long enough but the heat was intense. Soon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and enjoyed a tipple of Kriek Lambic whilst watching a group of Sardinian Warblers in full grey and black plumage. Cheers from the 'all over tanned Mr. Kite'.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto the blue Mediterranean Sea. With Swifts screeching across the sky and Nightingales singing from every bush Mr. Kite went to a local nature reserve near Marsellian-Plage. Now this reserve was squalid and depressing with broken building. dumped fridges and rubbish left to corrode.
So Mr. Kite thought he would watch birds by the clear blue Mediterranean Sea. Pushing The Beast along a track Mr. Kite soon reached the plage where Mediterranean Gulls flew around and the odd Common Tern. Mr. Kite was not too well dressed in his grey shorts and brown sandals but the sun-bathers were 'au naturelle'; not a stitch. Nature watching is very entertaining but naturist watching takes precedent when the sky is blue, the air is hot and the birds are scarce.
For three hours Mr. Kite sat on the beach taking nature notes about the natural world as a naturist. With hundreds of naked bodies on view three hours was not long enough but the heat was intense. Soon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and enjoyed a tipple of Kriek Lambic whilst watching a group of Sardinian Warblers in full grey and black plumage. Cheers from the 'all over tanned Mr. Kite'.
Saturday 7 May 2011
Thurday 5th May (Gulls and Terns)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the black bulls and white horses of The Camargue. These are lucky animals living in meadows with plenty of lush green grass. Mr. Kite is not sure about the black bulls future but they seem very happy at the moment.
Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were on their travels and ended up at St. Maries de la Mer. After a lunch of bread and cheese Mr. Kite went on The Beast to explore some of the local lagoons. Mr. Kite likes sitting in the warm sunshine and bird-watching; today he was not disappointed. Sitting on the bank by a stretch of water Mr. Kite carefully studied Black-headed Gulls, Meditteranean Gulls, Lesser-black Backed Gulls, and Yellow-legged Gulls. After an hour Mr. Kite could quickly distinguish between the gulls.
Then two terns appeared and noisily flew around. Flying terns are hard to distinguish so Mr. Kite just watched them fly and listened to their call. They flew low over the water; they did not hover and they did not dive in. Recognising terns will be for another day.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite who has seen lots of gulls today.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the black bulls and white horses of The Camargue. These are lucky animals living in meadows with plenty of lush green grass. Mr. Kite is not sure about the black bulls future but they seem very happy at the moment.
Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were on their travels and ended up at St. Maries de la Mer. After a lunch of bread and cheese Mr. Kite went on The Beast to explore some of the local lagoons. Mr. Kite likes sitting in the warm sunshine and bird-watching; today he was not disappointed. Sitting on the bank by a stretch of water Mr. Kite carefully studied Black-headed Gulls, Meditteranean Gulls, Lesser-black Backed Gulls, and Yellow-legged Gulls. After an hour Mr. Kite could quickly distinguish between the gulls.
Then two terns appeared and noisily flew around. Flying terns are hard to distinguish so Mr. Kite just watched them fly and listened to their call. They flew low over the water; they did not hover and they did not dive in. Recognising terns will be for another day.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite who has seen lots of gulls today.
Saturday 7th May (To the Lighthouse)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a breezy sandy camp site. A few campers were stirring and the House Sparrows chirped and foraged on the barren land for morsels of food. Luckily for Mr. Kite a trip to the Boulangerie gave him and His Lady their daily bread.
Mr. Kite decided to take a trip to the lighthouse; Phare de la Gacholle. A six miles trip along the path should give him plenty of opportunity to watch birds. So Mr. Kite set out with his panniers complete with binoculars, books and pen. There were lots of birds for Mr. Kite to watch; more Greater Flamingos than he expected and flying gulls and screeching terns.
Once, or twice, or maybe more, Mr. Kite read a book called To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf about Mr. Ramsey's struggle to reach it in stormy seas in a boat. Now Mr. Kite struggled to reach the lighthouse in a gale force wind on The Beast. As Mr. Kite battled into the headwind cyclist from the other direction zoomed past him and out of sight. Mr. Kite did not mind this because he knew the return trip would be easy.
Mr. Kite reached Phare de la Gacholle; a nineteenth century two storey building powered by wind and solar energy. Gulls and Flamingos were everywhere but Mr. Kite went in search of some waders. Soon he saw a group of pale plovers with dark on the sides of their breasts. They had slender black legs and a thick black beak. This group of Kentish Plovers were running along a sandy inlet between the tall grass.
Mr. Kite returned at a leisurely pace and stopped to look at a stunning group of Grey Plover in sparkling black and white livery. On the track small birds settled and fed but were soon moved on by passing walkers and cyclists.
After a good day Mr. Kite had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from a man who reached The Lighthouse.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a breezy sandy camp site. A few campers were stirring and the House Sparrows chirped and foraged on the barren land for morsels of food. Luckily for Mr. Kite a trip to the Boulangerie gave him and His Lady their daily bread.
Mr. Kite decided to take a trip to the lighthouse; Phare de la Gacholle. A six miles trip along the path should give him plenty of opportunity to watch birds. So Mr. Kite set out with his panniers complete with binoculars, books and pen. There were lots of birds for Mr. Kite to watch; more Greater Flamingos than he expected and flying gulls and screeching terns.
Once, or twice, or maybe more, Mr. Kite read a book called To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf about Mr. Ramsey's struggle to reach it in stormy seas in a boat. Now Mr. Kite struggled to reach the lighthouse in a gale force wind on The Beast. As Mr. Kite battled into the headwind cyclist from the other direction zoomed past him and out of sight. Mr. Kite did not mind this because he knew the return trip would be easy.
Mr. Kite reached Phare de la Gacholle; a nineteenth century two storey building powered by wind and solar energy. Gulls and Flamingos were everywhere but Mr. Kite went in search of some waders. Soon he saw a group of pale plovers with dark on the sides of their breasts. They had slender black legs and a thick black beak. This group of Kentish Plovers were running along a sandy inlet between the tall grass.
Mr. Kite returned at a leisurely pace and stopped to look at a stunning group of Grey Plover in sparkling black and white livery. On the track small birds settled and fed but were soon moved on by passing walkers and cyclists.
After a good day Mr. Kite had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from a man who reached The Lighthouse.
Friday 6th May (More Gulls and Terns)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue Meditteranean sky. After a leisurely breakfast Mr. Kite cycled into an area of The Camargue along tracks used by riders on white horses.
With twenty Greater Flamingos in front of him Mr. Kite watched them feed. Their legs are as long as their necks. Their becks are pink and large. Paddling their feet they swing their beaks from side to side to filter in the food. So when they are feeding they are on the move walking in the shallow water. Mr. Kite also watched these large pink birds land in the water. This was feet down, head back, lots of flapping then touch down followed by a few quick steps and wings in.
Some birds then walked on the mud flats and Mr. Kite thought they looked a bit like walking camels with their long necks. Although they are pink and white with long thin pink legs they do seem to have dirty feet.
In the same stretch of water Mr. Kite watched Avocets sifting water as they fed and Black-winged Stilts using their beaks like a straw. Now Mr. Kites attention was taken by a gull with a longish thin beak that looked a bit like a Black-headed Gull. Looking more closely could see that the bill was longish and thin. Luckily this bird then walked out of the water onto the mud and it had longish orangey legs; a Slender-billed Gull.
It was then that Mr. Kite looked at the terns congregated on an island nearby. At the front the birds had black bills with a yellow tip and black legs, black forehead and a spiky crest; Sandwich Terns. Just behind sat two smaller terns with yellow legs and beck; with a small white patch on the forehead; Little Terns. On a post nearby sat a Common Tern.
Mr. Kite then rode back to The Joint on tracks, on roads, across grass and along the beach to enjoy a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue Meditteranean sky. After a leisurely breakfast Mr. Kite cycled into an area of The Camargue along tracks used by riders on white horses.
With twenty Greater Flamingos in front of him Mr. Kite watched them feed. Their legs are as long as their necks. Their becks are pink and large. Paddling their feet they swing their beaks from side to side to filter in the food. So when they are feeding they are on the move walking in the shallow water. Mr. Kite also watched these large pink birds land in the water. This was feet down, head back, lots of flapping then touch down followed by a few quick steps and wings in.
Some birds then walked on the mud flats and Mr. Kite thought they looked a bit like walking camels with their long necks. Although they are pink and white with long thin pink legs they do seem to have dirty feet.
In the same stretch of water Mr. Kite watched Avocets sifting water as they fed and Black-winged Stilts using their beaks like a straw. Now Mr. Kites attention was taken by a gull with a longish thin beak that looked a bit like a Black-headed Gull. Looking more closely could see that the bill was longish and thin. Luckily this bird then walked out of the water onto the mud and it had longish orangey legs; a Slender-billed Gull.
It was then that Mr. Kite looked at the terns congregated on an island nearby. At the front the birds had black bills with a yellow tip and black legs, black forehead and a spiky crest; Sandwich Terns. Just behind sat two smaller terns with yellow legs and beck; with a small white patch on the forehead; Little Terns. On a post nearby sat a Common Tern.
Mr. Kite then rode back to The Joint on tracks, on roads, across grass and along the beach to enjoy a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Thursday 5 May 2011
Wednesday 4th May (Little Brown Things; Heard and Not Seen)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into an olive tree and a bright blue sky. After the spectacular birds of yesterday Mr. Kite thought that he would find some little brown warblers.
So Mr. Kite set off in the warm sunshine and sat by marsh's, water channels and flooded fields listening to Reed Warblers, Cetti Warblers, Fan-tailed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Savi's Warblers. Every now and again Mr. Kite had a glimpse of a warbler as it flew between the reeds; or in the case of the noisy Fan-tailed Warbler when it broke cover flew up high and dropped back into the reeds.
However Mr. Kite did see one large bird circling around leisurely; this was a White Stork. Fortunately it was not delivering a baby to a French family. Supported by it's large black and white wings it used the rising hot air to slowly fly around the area before gaining height and flying away.
Sitting quietly on a bridge Mr. Kite had a good view of a Kingfisher who was sitting on a branch. Now Mr. Kite would have to say that in the bright Meditteranean light a Kingfisher is not the same dazzling dashing bird of dull cloudy England.
After a relaxing day Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of La Becasse. Cheers to all Cherry Beer Drinkers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into an olive tree and a bright blue sky. After the spectacular birds of yesterday Mr. Kite thought that he would find some little brown warblers.
So Mr. Kite set off in the warm sunshine and sat by marsh's, water channels and flooded fields listening to Reed Warblers, Cetti Warblers, Fan-tailed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Savi's Warblers. Every now and again Mr. Kite had a glimpse of a warbler as it flew between the reeds; or in the case of the noisy Fan-tailed Warbler when it broke cover flew up high and dropped back into the reeds.
However Mr. Kite did see one large bird circling around leisurely; this was a White Stork. Fortunately it was not delivering a baby to a French family. Supported by it's large black and white wings it used the rising hot air to slowly fly around the area before gaining height and flying away.
Sitting quietly on a bridge Mr. Kite had a good view of a Kingfisher who was sitting on a branch. Now Mr. Kite would have to say that in the bright Meditteranean light a Kingfisher is not the same dazzling dashing bird of dull cloudy England.
After a relaxing day Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of La Becasse. Cheers to all Cherry Beer Drinkers.
Tuesday 3 May 2011
Tuesday 3rd May (Formation Flying for Fourteen Fabulous Flamingoes)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see black bulls with bells, white horses and Cattle Egrets. Now being in the Camargue what would you expect. Mr. Kite and His Lady had a breakfast of coffee, toast and marmalade with a Nightingale singing in a nearby bush.
Soon Mr. Kite was cycling along the road to Mejanes. Mr. Kite saw Magpies, Mallards, Little Egrets and Black Kites. In the clear blue sky above Mr. Kite watched white Meditteranean Gulls soar and glide. On a spring morning Mr. Kite pedaled casually until he reached Etang de Vaccares where he walked along the shores until he spotted a group of Greater Flamingoes.
Now this was a truly splendid sight a group of Greater Flamingoes feeding in the water. These birds were tall, slim, white, red with s-shaped heads and necks with red rears. As Mr. Kite watched them sifting the water with their large bills a group of fourteen took to the air. Feeding Flamingoes are a spectacular sight but fourteen flying in line is better. Their long bodies and legs are supported by slow beating wings of black, red and white. With their head and legs outstretched these birds are then streamlined and more aerodynamic and slowly gain speed flying low over the water until they are flying fast enough to climb steeply. Mr. Kite then went on to watch a lot more Greater Flamingoes.
Returning along a track Etang de Vaccares Mr. Kite heard a familiar 'prrup, prrup' sound; the first time this year. Looking over a rough heath Mr. Kite could see the silhouette of a Bee-eater flying over the scrubby land. On a bank Mr. Kite could see four colourful Bee-eaters sitting near holes that would be used for nesting. These blue, green, yellow and brown birds were another exotic sighting and memorable.
Soon after Mr. Kite watched a Honey Buzzard fly out of a wood and soar over the flat warm land and heard the 'tzip, tzip, tzip' as a Fan-tailed Warbler flew out of the reeds and into a bush; another attractive brown little bird.
On a fine warm day Mr. Kite returned to The Joint to celebrate a great day's bird-watching with a tipple of La Becasse Biere Lambic Kriek. Now to Mr. Kite that is 'cherry flavoured beer; one of his favourite brews and suitable for any thirsty beer drinking birder. With the name La Becasse, French for Woodcock, and with a picture of La Becasse de bois on the bottle what could be a more appropriate tipple for a beer drinking bird-watcher in The Camargue. Cheers from a relaxing Mr. Kite.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see black bulls with bells, white horses and Cattle Egrets. Now being in the Camargue what would you expect. Mr. Kite and His Lady had a breakfast of coffee, toast and marmalade with a Nightingale singing in a nearby bush.
Soon Mr. Kite was cycling along the road to Mejanes. Mr. Kite saw Magpies, Mallards, Little Egrets and Black Kites. In the clear blue sky above Mr. Kite watched white Meditteranean Gulls soar and glide. On a spring morning Mr. Kite pedaled casually until he reached Etang de Vaccares where he walked along the shores until he spotted a group of Greater Flamingoes.
Now this was a truly splendid sight a group of Greater Flamingoes feeding in the water. These birds were tall, slim, white, red with s-shaped heads and necks with red rears. As Mr. Kite watched them sifting the water with their large bills a group of fourteen took to the air. Feeding Flamingoes are a spectacular sight but fourteen flying in line is better. Their long bodies and legs are supported by slow beating wings of black, red and white. With their head and legs outstretched these birds are then streamlined and more aerodynamic and slowly gain speed flying low over the water until they are flying fast enough to climb steeply. Mr. Kite then went on to watch a lot more Greater Flamingoes.
Returning along a track Etang de Vaccares Mr. Kite heard a familiar 'prrup, prrup' sound; the first time this year. Looking over a rough heath Mr. Kite could see the silhouette of a Bee-eater flying over the scrubby land. On a bank Mr. Kite could see four colourful Bee-eaters sitting near holes that would be used for nesting. These blue, green, yellow and brown birds were another exotic sighting and memorable.
Soon after Mr. Kite watched a Honey Buzzard fly out of a wood and soar over the flat warm land and heard the 'tzip, tzip, tzip' as a Fan-tailed Warbler flew out of the reeds and into a bush; another attractive brown little bird.
On a fine warm day Mr. Kite returned to The Joint to celebrate a great day's bird-watching with a tipple of La Becasse Biere Lambic Kriek. Now to Mr. Kite that is 'cherry flavoured beer; one of his favourite brews and suitable for any thirsty beer drinking birder. With the name La Becasse, French for Woodcock, and with a picture of La Becasse de bois on the bottle what could be a more appropriate tipple for a beer drinking bird-watcher in The Camargue. Cheers from a relaxing Mr. Kite.
Monday 2 May 2011
Monday 2nd May (A Lifer for Mr. Kite)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the tall trees and watched a Spotless Starling carry a leaf into a hole in the tree. This shiny Starling looked unusual without it's Starling coloured spots.
Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were traveling along the road to The Camargue. They arrived at Le Crin Blanc (white horse hair) and settled down listening to the Nightingale sing. Now this is a noisy place with crickets 'cricketing' and frogs 'croaking'.
Being in The Camargue Mr. Kite rode into St. Gilles to buy some Camargue rice noticing Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, Swallows and a Carrion Crow on the way. Mr. Kite then cycled along the D37 towards Mejanes. In a field Mr. Kite noticed six black curlew shaped birds feeding in the grass. When they moved their black plumage changed to a bronze-brown neck with subtle green wings. Mr. Kite was very impressed with his first sighting of a Glossy Ibis. In birder terms this was 'a lifer'.
On a flooded field Mr. Kite watched Meditteranean Gulls squabbling and being gull like. Although similar in appearance to the Black-headed Gull their call is different.
After a pleasant few hours in The Camargue Mr. Kite returned to The Joint to cook a Red Rice Camargue Risotto with red onion, red peppers and red tomatoes and enjoy a tipple of local Cote du Rhone and a traditional Belgian Monastique Abbaye de Oudkerken beer.
Cheers from Mr. Kite having a good time in The Camargue.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the tall trees and watched a Spotless Starling carry a leaf into a hole in the tree. This shiny Starling looked unusual without it's Starling coloured spots.
Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were traveling along the road to The Camargue. They arrived at Le Crin Blanc (white horse hair) and settled down listening to the Nightingale sing. Now this is a noisy place with crickets 'cricketing' and frogs 'croaking'.
Being in The Camargue Mr. Kite rode into St. Gilles to buy some Camargue rice noticing Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, Swallows and a Carrion Crow on the way. Mr. Kite then cycled along the D37 towards Mejanes. In a field Mr. Kite noticed six black curlew shaped birds feeding in the grass. When they moved their black plumage changed to a bronze-brown neck with subtle green wings. Mr. Kite was very impressed with his first sighting of a Glossy Ibis. In birder terms this was 'a lifer'.
On a flooded field Mr. Kite watched Meditteranean Gulls squabbling and being gull like. Although similar in appearance to the Black-headed Gull their call is different.
After a pleasant few hours in The Camargue Mr. Kite returned to The Joint to cook a Red Rice Camargue Risotto with red onion, red peppers and red tomatoes and enjoy a tipple of local Cote du Rhone and a traditional Belgian Monastique Abbaye de Oudkerken beer.
Cheers from Mr. Kite having a good time in The Camargue.
Sunday 1 May 2011
Sunday 1st May (A Spotless Start)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the tall trees. Soon a Starling appeared without any spots and a yellow bill.
Mr. Kite often stands on bridges and watches birds fly over a bridge, under a bridge and around a bridge because he likes to see the bird from below, above and from the side. Today Mr. Kite thought that being in Avignon he ought to stand on the bridge and watch birds. So he cycled to the Bridge of Avignon and could see it has yet to be completed as it only goes half way across the River Rhone; so it is not really a bridge; more of a jetty. At a price of five euros to walk on it Mr. Kite sat down besides le pont. Within seconds a group of five Swifts flew over le pont, under le pont and around le pont. As the song says, 'they go this way and then go that way'.
Now Mr. Kite will let you into a secret about bird-watching from a bridge. Mr. Kite's best experience was on the Roman Bridge at Merida in Spain. That what Mr. Kite calls a bridge worthy of bird-watching from. One afternoon Mr. Kite sat on this bridge all afternoon in the warm sun and spotted lots of species of birds in the air, on the river, in the reeds and in the marshy ground.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Perlenbacher Biere Prestige. Cheers from near the Bridge at Avignon.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the tall trees. Soon a Starling appeared without any spots and a yellow bill.
Mr. Kite often stands on bridges and watches birds fly over a bridge, under a bridge and around a bridge because he likes to see the bird from below, above and from the side. Today Mr. Kite thought that being in Avignon he ought to stand on the bridge and watch birds. So he cycled to the Bridge of Avignon and could see it has yet to be completed as it only goes half way across the River Rhone; so it is not really a bridge; more of a jetty. At a price of five euros to walk on it Mr. Kite sat down besides le pont. Within seconds a group of five Swifts flew over le pont, under le pont and around le pont. As the song says, 'they go this way and then go that way'.
Now Mr. Kite will let you into a secret about bird-watching from a bridge. Mr. Kite's best experience was on the Roman Bridge at Merida in Spain. That what Mr. Kite calls a bridge worthy of bird-watching from. One afternoon Mr. Kite sat on this bridge all afternoon in the warm sun and spotted lots of species of birds in the air, on the river, in the reeds and in the marshy ground.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Perlenbacher Biere Prestige. Cheers from near the Bridge at Avignon.
Saturday 30th April (Le Pont d'Avignon)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto the bright white pinnacle on top of Mont Ventoux. Nearby a Golden Oriole sang. Soon Mr. Kite would be leaving and going to Avignon.
On a warm spring morning Mr. Kite and His Lady drove through the Provence landscape to Avignon. Looking towards the Palace of the Popes, and the walled city of Avignon Mr. Kite parked amongst tall trees and listened to Spotless Starlings and a noisy family of Magpies.
Today was a sight seeing day in an interesting city. After a day in the city Mr. Kite sipped a cold Kronenberg 1664. Cheers from Mr. Kite sitting near Palais de Papes.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto the bright white pinnacle on top of Mont Ventoux. Nearby a Golden Oriole sang. Soon Mr. Kite would be leaving and going to Avignon.
On a warm spring morning Mr. Kite and His Lady drove through the Provence landscape to Avignon. Looking towards the Palace of the Popes, and the walled city of Avignon Mr. Kite parked amongst tall trees and listened to Spotless Starlings and a noisy family of Magpies.
Today was a sight seeing day in an interesting city. After a day in the city Mr. Kite sipped a cold Kronenberg 1664. Cheers from Mr. Kite sitting near Palais de Papes.
Friday 29th April (No Birding Today on Mont Ventoux)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window at the white pinnacle on top of Mont Ventoux. Somewhere nearby a Golden Oriole was singing. On this clear morning Mr. Kite planned to watch birds on Mont Ventoux.
After a light breakfast Mr. Kite set off on The Beast with panniers bulging with binoculars, books, water, spare brake pads, cables and an inner tube. In Bedoin Mr. Kite started the slow ascent along the D974 to the summit twenty two kilometres away. A number of Common Buzzards and Black Kites were in the sky. Soon Mr. Kite was in the forest where birds flew in front of him; over him, above him and around him. Now on the relentless slope Mr. Kite was focused on the climb and not the birds. Interesting songs could be heard coming out of the trees; shrills, whistles and squarks. Mr. Kite with The Beast in 'granny gear' every now and again passed another cyclist heading to the top.
Eventually Mr. Kite emerged from the darkening forest at Chalet Reynard to see the beginnings of the lunar landscape on Mont Ventoux. It was still uphill and Mr. Kite was counting down the kilometres to the summit. With the end in sight Mr. Kite was overtaken by a whizzing Alberto Contador who was in a higher gear. At this stage Mr. Kite decided that the chase was not on and continued the slow climb in 'granny gear'. Two kilometres from the top the cloud descended, the wind took on a ice cold chill and small hail stones bounced off Mr. Kites sweating brow. Passing the one kilometres marker Mr. Kite was cooling rapidly and finally the half a kilometres marker with an eleven percent gradient. Mr. Kite sped to the top as the hail stones grew in size, the wind blew stronger and the air temperature plummeted.
This time Mr. Kite had packed a one litre bottle of Quezac eau minerale with gaz carbonique. This was soon drunk by a thirsty Mr. Kite. Now instead of unpacking his bird-watching equipment to identify the birds on Mont Ventoux Mr. Kite put on his gloves, shirt and jumper and decided that in the cold cloud and bombardment of bouncing hail stones, sleet and grot it would be better to to return to The Joint.
Now The Beast is an aging Trek T30 Navigator and wearing out rapidly. So Mr. Kite headed down the mountain with brake blocks screeching, wheel rims grinding and the chain humming. One kilometre from the summit Mr. Kite brought The Beast to a stop and read the epitaphs on Tommy Simpson's Memorial. With hails stones bouncing and the cloud swirling Mr. Kite descended past Chalet Reynard where The Heavens opened and Mr. Kite was nearly drowned in the deluge. Freezing cold and drenched Mr. Kite kept on going; braking, accelerating, negotiating corners, avoiding cars and watching other riders bravely going up.
Soon at St. Colombe the rain stopped, the sun came out and Mr. Kite rode slowly back to La Pastory and The Joint; a dry, warm and tired bird-watcher. After a short rest Mr. Kite walked into Bedoin and sat in a street cafe watching Feral Pigeons. Some were green and white, others blue and white, a few black and white and lots grey and white. Sitting in the warm sunshine drinking coffee and watching Feral Pigeons eke out an existence is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon wondering why they are all so different.
After a good day Mr. Kite sat and looked at Mont Ventoux and had a tipple of Kronenberg 1664. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window at the white pinnacle on top of Mont Ventoux. Somewhere nearby a Golden Oriole was singing. On this clear morning Mr. Kite planned to watch birds on Mont Ventoux.
After a light breakfast Mr. Kite set off on The Beast with panniers bulging with binoculars, books, water, spare brake pads, cables and an inner tube. In Bedoin Mr. Kite started the slow ascent along the D974 to the summit twenty two kilometres away. A number of Common Buzzards and Black Kites were in the sky. Soon Mr. Kite was in the forest where birds flew in front of him; over him, above him and around him. Now on the relentless slope Mr. Kite was focused on the climb and not the birds. Interesting songs could be heard coming out of the trees; shrills, whistles and squarks. Mr. Kite with The Beast in 'granny gear' every now and again passed another cyclist heading to the top.
Eventually Mr. Kite emerged from the darkening forest at Chalet Reynard to see the beginnings of the lunar landscape on Mont Ventoux. It was still uphill and Mr. Kite was counting down the kilometres to the summit. With the end in sight Mr. Kite was overtaken by a whizzing Alberto Contador who was in a higher gear. At this stage Mr. Kite decided that the chase was not on and continued the slow climb in 'granny gear'. Two kilometres from the top the cloud descended, the wind took on a ice cold chill and small hail stones bounced off Mr. Kites sweating brow. Passing the one kilometres marker Mr. Kite was cooling rapidly and finally the half a kilometres marker with an eleven percent gradient. Mr. Kite sped to the top as the hail stones grew in size, the wind blew stronger and the air temperature plummeted.
This time Mr. Kite had packed a one litre bottle of Quezac eau minerale with gaz carbonique. This was soon drunk by a thirsty Mr. Kite. Now instead of unpacking his bird-watching equipment to identify the birds on Mont Ventoux Mr. Kite put on his gloves, shirt and jumper and decided that in the cold cloud and bombardment of bouncing hail stones, sleet and grot it would be better to to return to The Joint.
Now The Beast is an aging Trek T30 Navigator and wearing out rapidly. So Mr. Kite headed down the mountain with brake blocks screeching, wheel rims grinding and the chain humming. One kilometre from the summit Mr. Kite brought The Beast to a stop and read the epitaphs on Tommy Simpson's Memorial. With hails stones bouncing and the cloud swirling Mr. Kite descended past Chalet Reynard where The Heavens opened and Mr. Kite was nearly drowned in the deluge. Freezing cold and drenched Mr. Kite kept on going; braking, accelerating, negotiating corners, avoiding cars and watching other riders bravely going up.
Soon at St. Colombe the rain stopped, the sun came out and Mr. Kite rode slowly back to La Pastory and The Joint; a dry, warm and tired bird-watcher. After a short rest Mr. Kite walked into Bedoin and sat in a street cafe watching Feral Pigeons. Some were green and white, others blue and white, a few black and white and lots grey and white. Sitting in the warm sunshine drinking coffee and watching Feral Pigeons eke out an existence is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon wondering why they are all so different.
After a good day Mr. Kite sat and looked at Mont Ventoux and had a tipple of Kronenberg 1664. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Thursday 28th April (Bird Songs)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a clear blue sky, blossoming trees and large black bees. Earlier Mr. Kite had listened to a Scops Owl, Cuckoo, Nightingale, Hoopoe and Golden Oriole.
Now today Mr. Kite cycled along to Flassan in a gentle manner looking at Stonechats, Buzzards and Kestrels. Even easy days cause Mr. Kite to be thirsty so by late afternoon Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Kronenberg 1664. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a clear blue sky, blossoming trees and large black bees. Earlier Mr. Kite had listened to a Scops Owl, Cuckoo, Nightingale, Hoopoe and Golden Oriole.
Now today Mr. Kite cycled along to Flassan in a gentle manner looking at Stonechats, Buzzards and Kestrels. Even easy days cause Mr. Kite to be thirsty so by late afternoon Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Kronenberg 1664. Cheers from Mr. Kite.
Wednesday 27th April (Crag Martins on Mont Ventoux)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window at the white observatory on the summit of Mont Ventoux. In the vineyards Magpies and Jays flew around in the morning sunshine. Today Mr. Kite was going to cycle up Mont Ventoux the easy route via Malaucene.
After a light 'petit dejouner', that did not include Kronenbourg, Mr. Kite cycled the six miles to the official start of the climb. With twenty three kilometres to go Mr. Kite slammed the beast into 'granny gear' and pedaled. Now the aging Mr. Kite was soon overtaken by three young Netherlanders on their carbon fibre racing machines but Mr. Kites sturdy Trek Ti30, complete with saddle bags, keep on going. With the first glimpse of the summit Mr. Kite had the three 'pretenders' in sight. With less than two kilometres to the summit Mr. Kite raced past them and reached the top after dodging piles of snow and ice.
Now Mr. Kite planned to spend some time on the summit spotting birds but it was chilly in the biting wind. Mr. Kite drank a bottle of Quezac eau minerale and headed downhill with his hair trailing in the wind. Three kilometres from the top where the air was warmer Mr. Kite slowed down and rode amongst Crag Martins, Blue Tits and Great Tits.
In the warm breeze Mr. Kite glided past the campsite into Bedoin where he purchased a bottle of Cotes du Ventoux 2009. Returning to The Joint Mr. Kite put the bottle of red into the freezer and went for a shower.
Now that Mr. Kite was clean and did not smell he checked the temperature of the wine and found it was seventeen degrees; perfect for drinking. Then Mr. Kite and His Lady sipped the juice of Grenache and Syrah grapes as they sat in warm sunshine in a vineyard. Marvelous.
With the Cotes du Ventoux consumed Mr. Kite enjoyed a few more tipples of Kronenbourg to quench his almighty and well deserved thirst. Cheers from Mr. Kite who will now cycle up Mont Ventoux the proper way; the more difficult way and who will be entitled to drink two bottles of Cotes du Ventoux. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window at the white observatory on the summit of Mont Ventoux. In the vineyards Magpies and Jays flew around in the morning sunshine. Today Mr. Kite was going to cycle up Mont Ventoux the easy route via Malaucene.
After a light 'petit dejouner', that did not include Kronenbourg, Mr. Kite cycled the six miles to the official start of the climb. With twenty three kilometres to go Mr. Kite slammed the beast into 'granny gear' and pedaled. Now the aging Mr. Kite was soon overtaken by three young Netherlanders on their carbon fibre racing machines but Mr. Kites sturdy Trek Ti30, complete with saddle bags, keep on going. With the first glimpse of the summit Mr. Kite had the three 'pretenders' in sight. With less than two kilometres to the summit Mr. Kite raced past them and reached the top after dodging piles of snow and ice.
Now Mr. Kite planned to spend some time on the summit spotting birds but it was chilly in the biting wind. Mr. Kite drank a bottle of Quezac eau minerale and headed downhill with his hair trailing in the wind. Three kilometres from the top where the air was warmer Mr. Kite slowed down and rode amongst Crag Martins, Blue Tits and Great Tits.
In the warm breeze Mr. Kite glided past the campsite into Bedoin where he purchased a bottle of Cotes du Ventoux 2009. Returning to The Joint Mr. Kite put the bottle of red into the freezer and went for a shower.
Now that Mr. Kite was clean and did not smell he checked the temperature of the wine and found it was seventeen degrees; perfect for drinking. Then Mr. Kite and His Lady sipped the juice of Grenache and Syrah grapes as they sat in warm sunshine in a vineyard. Marvelous.
With the Cotes du Ventoux consumed Mr. Kite enjoyed a few more tipples of Kronenbourg to quench his almighty and well deserved thirst. Cheers from Mr. Kite who will now cycle up Mont Ventoux the proper way; the more difficult way and who will be entitled to drink two bottles of Cotes du Ventoux. Cheers.
Friday 22nd April (Parc Naturel Regional Livradois Foret)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over the pond in Rosnay where a Black-headed Gull flew. On this bright warm day Mr. Kite and His Lady were traveling to Olliergues for a weekend in the national park.
Six hours later Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Kronenbourg as he watched Common Buzzards and Chaffinch from a warm sunny terrace in the trees. Cheers from a resting Mr. Kite.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over the pond in Rosnay where a Black-headed Gull flew. On this bright warm day Mr. Kite and His Lady were traveling to Olliergues for a weekend in the national park.
Six hours later Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Kronenbourg as he watched Common Buzzards and Chaffinch from a warm sunny terrace in the trees. Cheers from a resting Mr. Kite.
Thursday 21st April (Reptile on Road)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see spring sunshine. The good weather continues and Mr. Kite feel happy.
Soon Mr. Kite was cycling around those Etangs spotting lots birds and stopping to watch the less common. These included a very colourful and yellow Cirl Bunting singing from a telegraph wire, Curlews in a field and Corn Buntings in the hedgerows.
La Gabriere had about one hundred Black Terns flying up and down the pond shimmering between black and white colours whilst a Cettis Warbler burst into song at frequent intervals. Mr. Kite went for a walk along Beaureare where a Fan-tailed Warbler 'zitted' as it flew around a reed bed. In the warm sunshine Mr. Kite had plenty of opportunity to sit and watch.
Cycling near a clump of trees Mr. Kite had his first view of the year of a Hoopoe; black, white, pinky, unusual and a fantastic spectacle. After a day out Mr. Kite cycled slowly back to The Joint stopping to watch a small Grass Snake sunning itself on a quiet road.
Soon Mr. Kite was having a tipple of Kanterbrau. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see spring sunshine. The good weather continues and Mr. Kite feel happy.
Soon Mr. Kite was cycling around those Etangs spotting lots birds and stopping to watch the less common. These included a very colourful and yellow Cirl Bunting singing from a telegraph wire, Curlews in a field and Corn Buntings in the hedgerows.
La Gabriere had about one hundred Black Terns flying up and down the pond shimmering between black and white colours whilst a Cettis Warbler burst into song at frequent intervals. Mr. Kite went for a walk along Beaureare where a Fan-tailed Warbler 'zitted' as it flew around a reed bed. In the warm sunshine Mr. Kite had plenty of opportunity to sit and watch.
Cycling near a clump of trees Mr. Kite had his first view of the year of a Hoopoe; black, white, pinky, unusual and a fantastic spectacle. After a day out Mr. Kite cycled slowly back to The Joint stopping to watch a small Grass Snake sunning itself on a quiet road.
Soon Mr. Kite was having a tipple of Kanterbrau. Cheers.
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