Friday 1st July (Another Day, Another Month)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see blue sky. He looked around for signs of bird life but could only hear the 'eternal Wood Pigeon cooing'. With spring well and truly gone and Mr. Kite back home 'all is quiet on the bird front'. So Mr. Kite has a few repairs to do on The Dwelling but will find time to watch birds and ride The Beast.


First things first; a gentle ride back on the roads of Shropshire. So Mr. Kite idly cycled along the River Severn in the summer sunshine. Today Mallards and Mute Swans were the only birds to show themselves. Mr. Kite then returned to The Dwelling and sat in the garden watching a pair of Blackbirds with a young family of two. Now this was a stressful and anxious day for these parents. The chicks had hatched and were now flying and being fed by their dedicated parents. The problem was that The Chicks presented an irresistable meal to the local cats. The parents warning 'cluck' and The Chicks 'shrieks' for attention were attracting Tiddles, Cuddles and Louis. Now their names suggest fluffy creatures that are well fed and enjoy the affection of their owner and that is perfectly true but they still have 'the killer instinct'.

Tiddles, Cuddles and Louis kept low, crouching their way to hidden places underneath shrubs and watched intently as the family of Blackbirds fed. Fortunately the parents kept an eye on their precious off-spring and encouraged them into the trees when danger threatened. After a few close shaves the family of Blackbirds moved on to face more dangers from the Carrion Crows and other family 'pet moggies'.

After a stressful time watching the young family Mr. Kite had a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers to the family of Blackbirds and for a healthy long future.

Thursday 30th June (The Last Day of the Month)


Mr. Kite looked out of the bedroom window to see the sun rising over The Wrekin. Some of the leaves on the trees were yellow and looked likely to drop off onto the road. One Wood Pigeon cooed.

Now Mr. Kite's garden resembled a jungle because he had not maintained it for three months. So todayMr. Kite mowed the lawn, trimmed the hedge and removed weeds from the vegetable patch. Overhead Swifts screamed, in the tree Blue Tits fed and Wood Pigeons sat on house roof's.

Today the birds were quiet. After a long day in the garden Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Leffe Brun. Cheers from Salop.

Wednesday 29th June (Home)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the green leaves on the trees. Last time Mr. Kite saw these trees they had fresh green leaves. Having not yet seen a bird for a few hours Mr. Kite went into the garden to watch Wood Pigeons and Swifts.

Today Mr. Kite had a lazy day at home. However he did have a tipple of Marstons Pedigree. Cheers.

Tuesday 28th June (Home)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the two palm trees for the last time. Today Mr. Kite and His Lady and The Bard were going home.

After a leisurely breakfast The Joint burst into life and they were off up the A30 towards Shropshire. To cut a long story short Mr. Kite spotted Kestrels, Gulls and Corvids. Now one bird did catch Mr. Kites attention and that was a Common Buzzard taking a little bird for a trip. Held firmly in the Buzzards claws the flapping little bird was having a joy ride with a generous large Common Buzzard. Mr. Kite hoped the two birds enjoyed their flight.

After many hour traveling Mr. Kite reached home and had a tipple of Adnams Broadside. Cheers from Salop.

Monday 27th June (Back to Normal in Cornwall)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see two palm trees surrounded by swirling Cornish Clouds depositing real Cornish Drizzle. This being Cornwall in summer; Mr. Kite was not surprised. A little later the Cornish Drizzle became Cornish Rain. But in the gloom of a Cornish summer Mr. Kite did spot Carrion Crows, Kestrels and a Common Buzzard.

Just after midday The Incapacitants went for a walk from Porthcurno to Sennan Cove along the coastal path. With the usual gulls in the air a seal was swimming near The Minack Theatre watched by an audience standing on the terrace of the theater. Occasionally the sun appeared for a few seconds but overall the mist rolled in from the sea making it a chilly walk. Towards Porthgwarra The Incapacitants stopped to watch Rock Pipits feeding.

Now Porthgwarra has Chough but today they could not be seen although Northern Wheatears could. After a cool walk in swirling mist Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a Tetley tea. Cheers from cool, cloudy and dull Cornwall.

Sunday 26th June (The Heatwave Arrives)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue Cornish sky. Today the much awaited heatwave was just warming the cold fresh air. Mr. Kite sat around eating and drinking coffee as the thermometer needle headed towards 20C. At midday it was warm enough for The Incapacitants to go for a walk.

Today was a walk around the local area to the top of the peaks and to spot birds. So in the bright warm sunshine The Incapacitants scaled the 657 feet of Chapel Carn Brea the most westerly hill in England followed by the trig point on Barline Castle, Sancreed Beacon and Carn Bran. The birds included Common Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush and a Woodlark.

Finally The Incapacitants explored the ancient village of Carn Euny. Now this is a remarkable place to visit where the foundations of the ancient village still exist with an underground chamber where a Swallow lives.

Aftera walk in the sun in the Cornish hills it was time for Mr. Kite to enjoy a tipple of Greene King Abbot Ale. Cheers from sunny Cornwall.

Saturday 25th June (Gannets and a Big Basking Shark)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see dark clouds, palm trees and a Goldcrest. The air was cool, damp and misty.

However in the late afternoon Mr. Kite set out to walk from Lamorna to Porthcurno. To cut a long story short Mr. Kite spotted a family of Northern Gannets fishing off the Cornish Coast. These giant birds were diving head first into the sea to feed; a good sight to watch. The youngsters in the family had not yet developed the stunning black and white plumage of the adults; they had greyish/brown/black mottled feathers.

Now as Mr. Kite watched the 'Gannet feeding spectacle' he noticed a black triangular fin in the water. Looking more closely Mr. Kite could see a smaller tail fin and occasionally the head of the twenty foot long Basking Shark. The shark was feeding on plankton and swimming in circles moving closer to the coast. Mr. Kite was in a good position perched on top of a cliff where he watched the Basking Shark for fifteen minutes.

During his walk Mr. Kite spotted the usual gulls, Fulmars, Carrion Crows and Common Whitethroats. Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and enjoyed a tipple of Chimay Brun. Cheers from cool Cornwall where Basking Sharks bask and Gannets dive.

Friday 24th June (The Parrot)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see two palm trees swaying in the strong Cornwall breeze. Now this is Lands End and the palm trees are a sign that to the west and south over the sea there is a New World.

Today a large group of people, including Mr. Kite, set out to Newlyn and Mousehole for a walk and to watch birds. The usual birds were spotted and ticked off. Herring Gull, Lesser Black-back Gull, Greater Black-back Gull etc.; then a green parrot was spotted on a lamp post. This was a picture of Simon the Dwarf Macaw who had gone missing and his owner was offering a reward for his safe return. So this added an extra interest to the day's bird-watching. This bird also answered to the name, "Simon".

The large group of people, including Mr. Kite, sat around Newlyn and then Mousehole where they perched on benches overlooking harbours, the sea, shops and The Sandpiper Gallery shouting, "Simon". Eventually Mr. Kite and his 'birding companion' set out to walk from Mousehole to Lamorna Cove hoping to find Simon. To cut a long story short it was a very pleasant walk along the coastal path and more than twenty species of bird were spotted including Fulmars. On a cliff a small colony were nesting and the adults were seen soaring over the water with straight stiff wings. There was not any sign of Simon although his name was called frequently.

After a return walk to Mousehole everyone returned to the campsite disappointed that they did not collect the reward for Simon's return. Tea was drunk as the air became chilly. After a short break Mr. Kite cycled the short distance to Lands End where a few joyous people were celebrating after completing the trip from John O'Groats on bicycles. But the rain was pouring down by this time and the wind was howling and the sea swell was rising but people stood in front of the signs to have a photograph or two.

With little bird life and a darkening sky Mr. Kite headed towards John O'Groats. Within thirty seconds of leaving Lands End The Beast suffered a burst and Mr. Kite pushed the disabled bicycle back to the campsite because he did not have a puncture repair kit with him.

Soon Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Affligem Biere Blonde. Cheers from wet and windy Cornwall. Still no sign of Simon.

Thursday 23rd June (Sunshine)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the sun in the sky above Blighty. Now this is rather unusual but it was a good start to the day. To make the day even better there was a quiet 'dawn chorus' of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Greenfinches. Later this morning Mr. Kite and His Lady were off to Land's End but first they had to pick up The Bard.

After breakfast Mr. Kite typed in the post code of The Bard into Pat Nav and off they went. Along the road Mr. Kite did spot a Pelican and a very good Pelican it was because it sold Marstons Beer. Soon Mr. Kite was in Bath University collecting The Bard and his Literature. On the campus Mr. Kite had time to sit down by a Herring Gull that was well fed by the students. This monster of a gull was having a good time as an undergraduate enjoying the left over food from students pizzas.

Driving down the road to Lands End Mr. Kite passed Glastonbury where the crowds were gathering for the festival. Now Mr. Kite was tempted by the thought of parking The Joint in The Festival grounds and spending the weekend listening to music and drinking copious amounts of beer but he decided that with rain likely and the thought of mud was too much; so off he went to Lands End.

After hours of traveling Mr. Kite and His Lady and The Bard were having a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from Lands End where Mr Kite met his 'birding companion' and his family.

Wednesday 22nd June (Bleak Blighty)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see grey cloud scudding across the bleak sky. The trees were still 'banana shaped' in the gale force and the outlook was bleak. But Mr. Kite did watch a small flock of Greenfinches. Today Mr. Kite planned a bike ride.

With the wind reaching gale force Mr. Kite set out in the afternoon for a two hour ride around the local area. The New Forest was looking very good with mixed woodland and open spaces with ferns and gorse. But in today's conditions things were quiet. But Mr. Kite rode through Bransgore, Burley and other small villages dodging ponies walking along the rode. Mr. Kite saw a few birds but not too many.

Eventually Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and watched a Pied Wagtail fed on the wet grass. Now in France Mr. Kite had watched White Wagtails but today the Pied Wagtail was a Pied Wagtail; two colours, black and white unlike the White Wagtail with a grey/white back.

With all this watching Mr. Kite became thirsty so he had a tipple of Chimay Bruin. Cheers from the blustery and wind swept New Forest.

Tuesday 21st June (The Longest Day)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint windows into a small New Forest tree that was banana shaped in the strong wind. Bird-watching from The Joint Mr. Kite saw Black-headed Gulls, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Magpies.

Today Mr. Kite had lost some of his bird-watching enthusiasm in the buffeting hurricane that blew through the New Forest. When The bar opened Mr. Kite saw a pelican on the label of Pelforth Blonde. Soon Mr. Kite was enjoying a cool tipple of Pelforth in the hurricane.

Monday 20th June (Back to Blighty)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the ship that was going to repatriate him back to Blighty. At two in the morning Mr. Kite drove up the ramp into the hold of the ship. After leaving The Joint safely inside the ship's maw Mr. Kite stood on the desk watching gulls and terns flying around the ship as it left the dock and headed across the channel. Mr. Kite felt sad looking at those French birds as he headed to Dover.

Now once Mr. Kite left the ship he drove to Sandgate and parked The Joint and fell asleep. At eight in the morning Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto The Channel where a flock of Herring Gulls were feeding in the shallow water.

With such a fine view from The Joint Mr. Kite and His Lady sat peering out to sea drinking coffee and eating toast. Just before noon they set off to Bransgore in the New Forest. On entering the forest it poured with rain and the sky became very dull with poor visibilty. Mr. Kite saw Wood Pigeons, Jackdaws and Carrion Crows and avoided running over a New Forest pony.

To cut a long story short; the rain persisted, the bike ride was cancelled and The Bar was opened. Mr. Kite sat down to enjoy a Greene King Abbot Ale. Cheers from the cold, damp and gloomy New Forest.

Sunday 19th June (Homeward Bound)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see grey clouds and a small blue patch. Later a flock of racing pigeons flew over followed by a rain storm. Mr. Kite and His Lady sat in Le Cateau Cambresis enjoying a very pleasant area.

Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were traveling through the battlefields of The Great War watching birds battle with the strong wind to fly. The Joint whizzed past Cambrai, Arras and Vimy Ridge. Along the road at intervals were small graveyards with lines of tombstones; all very sombre.

Mr. Kite and His Lady had their evening meal in Cassels looking into a green field; a feast of pasta, tomato sauce and cheese.. As they sat eating the parents of a Carrion Crow fed their youngster. Now this youngster was very demanding because he just sat there waiting to be fed.

As darkness crept on Mr. Kite and His Lady drove to Dunkerque to be evacuated to Blighty. Mr. Kite watched the white gulls in the darkness. Now Mr. Kite was driving so instead of an alcoholic tipple; instead he had a Tetley tea. Cheers to a good successful 'tour de France'; eating drinking and watching birds.

Saturday 18th June  (Three Freebies and a Golden Oriole)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the walnut tree swaying in the wind and grey clouds floating in the sky. Today Mr. Kite and His Lady were heading north towards La Manche and cooler climates and eventually home.

With The Joint packed tidily Mr. Kite pressed a few buttons and Pat Nav told him to, “Drive to highlight a route’. So very soon The Joint and it’s occupants were driving along unknown roads and lanes around the Foret d’Orient. Now Mr. Kite has great confidence in Pat Nav although she has taken him along some very narrow roads with ditches all around, through mountain villages where the villagers have fled for their lives having never seen a camper before and down mud tracks off road.

Today Pat Nav had planned a pleasant scenic route in the countryside towards the motorway with birds to look at along the way. Common Buzzards, Honey Buzzards, Skylarks and Goldfinches were prevalent. Now in her good planning Pat Nav had coordinated the flight of a Golden Oriole in front of Mr. Kite. So with fields on both sides of the road the Golden Oriole flew from left to right with slow jerky wing beats and it’s yellow golden plumage shining like a ‘tracer bullet’. For five seconds the bird flew low over the fields and then gained height to reach the top of a tree in a steep climb.

Just before the busy road an Osprey flew diagonally across the path of Mr. Kite. Soon the scenic tour was over and the dull trip up the motorway was started. With hot sunny spells, torrential rain and a few sharp gusts of wind the ride took three hours and soon Mr. Kite arrived in Le Cateau Cambresis.

Having had a good day so far Mr. Kite went into a supermarket to buy some bread and was promptly given two cans of Hoegaarden Wit-Blanche; what could be better than than two free cans of beer.

Mr. Kite and His Lady then drove to Ors, a village near Le Cateau Cambresis, to place a flower on the grave of a former resident of Mr. Kite’s house in Shropshire. This young man had died in The Great War. Now this young man had left a literary legacy and the building, ‘Maison Forestiere”, where he wrote his last letter home to his famiy is being converted into an artistic centre. So Mr. Kite and His Lady went to find it. To cut along story short they did not find it; so they stopped outside The Marie.

Now Mr. Kite will describe a coincidence. In a room next to The Marie a group of people were planning the opening of ‘Maison Forestiere’ in October and the leader of the group had visited Mr. Kite’s house many years ago to see where The Soldier Poet had lived. The Leader, who spoke good English, explained where the ‘Maison Forestiere’ was and said Mr. Kite and His Lady could have a peep inside the unfinished building.

Mr. Kite followed the instructions and five mintues later were parked outside a modern new building. First impressions are important and Mr. Kite and His Lady were highly impressed by the modern shape and architecture of the building. Sneeking into the ‘building site’ Mr. Kite and His Lady were amazed by a wonderful little amphitheatre that was under construction. Lastly Mr. Kite and His Lady visited the cellar where The Soldier had written his last letter: a very moving experience for a freebee. Now this building designed by the British artist Simon Patterson is stunning.

With two freebies complete the last one was a night with electricity on the aire at Le Cateau Cambresis where Mr. Kite and His Lady had a pleasant stay. Now Mr. Kite did not see many birds that day in the north of France but he did have a memorable day.

So Mr. Kite celebrated with a tipple of Tetley tea and cheers to all those people who made his day.

Friday 17th June (Lacs, Temples and Forests)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a forest with sunshine streaming amongst the trees. Now Mr. Kite likes warm sunny mornings so he can cycle, watch birds and idle around in the sun.

Soon after breakfast Mr. Kite oiled The Beast and set off towards Lac du Temple. Cycling along Mr. Kite stopped to watch two squabbling Cuckoo's fighting over a mate. One of them eventually flew away making a dejected Cuckoo sound; not a 'Cuckoo' but a strained, rushed half Cuckoo sound. Towards Radonvilliers a Red Fox walked in front of Mr. Kite causing him to slow down. Now this fox was not in a hurry and it then ambled onto the rocks that lined the Lac and disappeared into a hole. Mr. Kite thought that this was a good place to have a fox-hole; near a well stocked Lac with fish and ducks.

Then it was a trip around Lac Amance onto Port Dienville to look at the large boats. In the warm sunshine Mr. Kite then cycled through Amance, Vendeuvre-sur-Barse and towards Geraudot in a leisurely fashion.

Mr. Kite then found a road leading to Forest du Temple and cycled down to the leisure area that was deserted. On this quiet day Mr. Kite then explored Route Forestiere de la Fontaine aux Oiseaux to watch a flying Green Woodpecker and a nesting pair of Mute Swans.

After an enjoyable day in the sun Mr. Kite returned to The Joint to enjoy a tipple of Hoegaarden Wit-Blanche. Cheers from  Mr. Kite.

Thursday 16th June (Some Rain and Clouds)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the forest where a Golden Oriole was 'piping' like a flute. Today Mr. Kite just listened because he could not be bothered to search for the elusive bird. Now today Mr. Kite planned a walk into the forest to watch woodpeckers.

After a lazy breakfast Mr. Kite walked into the trees and along tracks listening to the sound of the forest. Occasionally a woodpeckers was heard and a glimpse in the top of the trees. To cut along story short Mr. Kite did not have much success.

With the cloud building and rain on the way Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and His Lady. Fortunately The Bar was open serving cold Belgian Beer. So Mr. Kite thanked the Patron Saint of Belgian Beer, Saint Arnold, and joined him in a tipple of Chimay Peres Trappistes. Cheer to Saint Arnold for praying for such an important drink.

Wednesday 15th June (Lac du Orient)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the Forest d' Orient. A Cuckoo sang, a Wood Pigeon cooed and Mr. Kite felt weary. He looked for the Cuckoo but could not see it.

Mr. Kite had a lazy breakfast and then set out for a trip around the lake. With clouds bubbling Mr. Kite expected to get wet but he was prepared for the worst and rode along in shorts and a T-shirt. A race with a few French Tour de France entrants sped the morning along before he settled into bird-watching mode. Coots, Mallards and Herone cendre were soon spotted. Looking into the reeds Mr. Kite thought he had a glimpse of a Little Bittern; it was a little bird and well camouflaged.

Anyway Mr. Kite was enjoying his tour around the lake. Eventually the sun appeared and Mr. Kite felt very happy as he lounged away the hours looking at green frogs, Coots and Sand Lizards. Sitting quietly by a swamp Mr. Kite had the pleasure of watching two Black Kites sitting in a rotten tree surveying the surroundings for things to eat. Now their beaks did look dangerous as they opened and closed them at intervals.

With the wind increasing Mr. Kite was near the end of his trip so he cycled into the forest hoping to watch a woodpecker or two. Now today Mr. Kite was lucky because a woodpecker landed where Mr. Kite was looking. This was not a big woodpecker or a small woodpecker. It was a medium sized black and white bird with a red cap and pink rear; and a short pointed beak. This was a Middle Spotted Woodpecker; a lifer for Mr. Kite. Mr. Kite watched this bird picking bits of tree and tossing them away for five minutes.

After a good day watching birds Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Kwak. Cheers from the warm sunny terrace of Camping de l'Epine aux Moines.

Monday 13th June (Still Air)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a still and calm lake. House Sparrows chirped and a Carrion  Crow cawed and the early bather were putting down their towels.

Now Mr Kite and His Lady travelled many miles that day to Geraudot in the Parc naturel regional de la Foret d'Orient. This being a holiday the park was very busy in the warm sunshine. Mr. Kite and His Lady sat down by the Lac d'Orient before moving onto Camping de l'Epine aux Moines.

A few minutes later the sky turned cloudy and the heavens opened for fifteen minutes to fill up the lake and wash down the roads. Soon after the sun appeared and Mr. Kite took The Beast to the local observatoire. Mr. Kite is always excited to find a new hide and look at the surrounding area.

This hide was about five metres above the ground and reached up a long stairway. A platform about ten metres wide and six metres long looked out over the grassy edge of the lake and the Lac d'Orient. Now Mr. Kite expected to see hundred of birds of many different species but he spotted Heron cendre and Grebes huppes.

Soon afterwards Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Hoegaarden Wit-Blanche. Cheers.

Tuesday 14th June (Lacs, Doves and Merlins)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the Foret d'Oirent. Today the birds were being lazy and not flying around. Now Mr. Kite was not lazy and went in search of those lazy birds around lac du Temple.

To cut a long story short Mr. Kite cycled a little, sat a little, watched a little and thought a little. But Mr. Kite did listen to warblers and watched a Turtle Dove. Now this Turtle Dove was stunning; stripy neck, mottled back and colourful plumage.

At the Temple Mr. Kite stopped to watch two Merlins sitting on the rocks with Swallows flying over them. These small raptors were calm as they sat with Swallows trying to move them on. Occasionally they would move a few boulders on.

On a warm afternoon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Leffe Blond. Cheers from a terrace where the sun is dropping slowly behind the trees.

Sunday 12th June (Le Sabot de Frotey: Nearly Eaten Alive)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto the lake where the beach was being cleaned readily for the bathers on this warm Sunday morning.

After yesterday's poor showing at Le Sabot de Frotey, the Devil's Shoe), Mr. Kite was determined to find the creatures that this site is well known for; Nightjars, Wryneck, Grey-headed Woodpeckers and Praying Mantis.

So Mr. Kite was well prepared for a day's searching in the warm sunshine. Now Mr. Kite entered the sight and carefully walked towards the summit stopping in places to search the ground, the bushes, the sky, under stones and near holes.

Grasshoppers hopped and Mr. Kite spotted Chiffchaff and Chaffinch. Near the summit Mr. Kite sat for hours on a bench watching and listening and saw very little. Now this is a microclimate and has some unusual insects. Now whilst Mr. Kite was sitting on a bench a greenish fly flew into his leg and tried to eat Mr. Kite. It's fangs sank into Mr. Kites leg as it started biting and eating. Mr. Kite might expect to be eaten by a tiger in India but not a fly in France; so in this life and death battle Mr. Kite fought back.

For two minutes the ferocious fight continued with blood coming from Mr. Kite's leg. So Mr. Kite in a last fling broke the insect into pieces leaving it's fangs and head inserted in his left leg.

Mr. Kite continued his searching of the site until five in the afternoon when he returned to The Joint for a tipple of Chimay Peres Trappistes. Cheer from the victorious Mr. Kite who has just picked the fangs from his leg with tweezers and mopped up the blood.

Saturday 11th June (The Devil's Shoe)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see du Lac Vesoul-Vaivre and the sandy beach. The bathers had not yet arrived but the swimmers were at Ludolac for the start of the summer season. Now with the lake having only two birds on it Mr. Kite had plans of a trip to Site du Sabot Reserve Naturelle.

Firstly Mr. Kite cycled into the hills to the quiet town of Montcey where Honey Buzzards, Common Buzzards and Black Kites flew overhead. Montcey is a pleasant quiet place where birds could be heard singing. In the nearby woods Mr. Kite could here woodpeckers and a Wryneck. Soon Mr. Kite was walking in the thick woodland searching into the dark treetops for signs of these birds. But it was too dark and gloomy to see much in detail so Mr. Kite headed for Site du Sabot de Frotey.

Mr. Kite had read about this site of special interest on page 65 of Gibbons and Davies book. So Mr. Kite walked into the site on a cool cloudy afternoon. Today the site was quiet but a very pleasant walk in the scrub land where only the occasional fly flew past.

Mr. Kite cycled slowly through Vesoul back to The Joint as the sun and warmth appeared to enjoy a tipple of Duvel; a classic Belgium brew. Cheers from Mr. Kite.

Friday 10th June (Sunshine)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see blue sky and sunshine. Today Mr. Kite and His Lady were traveling to Vesoul.

Now Mr. Kite was hoping to see lots of birds on du Lac Vesoul-Vaivre so he rode the three miles around the lake and spotted one Grey Heron, one Moorhen and heard a Reed Warbler.

Never mind Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Super Bock to remind him of those hot and sunny days spent in Portugal. Cheers.

Thursday 9th June (Not so much Gloom)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see a grey sky and no rain. A Cuckoo sang in a tree. Today Mr Kite was going for a bike ride to watch birds.

At eleven o'clock Mr. Kite pedaled through Parcey and headed for Rahon. Twenty minutes later Mr. Kite whizzed by three French cyclists, dressed in Tour de France colours, and sped towards Route Barree Inondation. Now today Mr. Kite was going to enjoy his time bird-watching so he slowly cycled towards Molay. Yellowhammers, Skylarks, Rooks and Common Buzzards were spotted. Mr. Kite rode slowly listening and watching. Most birds were firmly stuck in the middle of thick shrubbery and not visible only audible.

After four kilometres Mr. Kite reached the wall on the Pont de Molay and parked The Beast. In the river Night Herons, Little Egrets, Mute Swans and a Common Tern were visible. Sitting on the Pont de Molay Mr. Kite watched Grey Heron and Cormorants fishing in the fast flowing river.

Mr. Kite looked over bushes for an hour and did not see one bird perched amongst them; although they were there singing. So Mr. Kite cycled the one hundred metres to the old railway bridge and behaved like a schoolboy. He climbed the gantry's, walked over the parapets and rode on the maintenance train slung below the bridge.

Before falling into the river or breaking his neck Mr. Kite returned to the activities of a bird-watcher and sat on a barrier and watched birds in the shrubbery. To cut a long story short  many birds were heard and a few seen. But one little warbler with a yellow breast did stop on view for a long time; a Melodious Warbler. Now Mr. Kite listened and watched and observed this confident little bird fly from bush to bush.

At the end of the afternoon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Kronenbourg and enjoy an evening of sunshine, beer and young girls in bikinis. Cheers from a bird-watcher; feathered and others.

Wednesday 8th June (Rain and a Depression)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the rain. Mr. Kite does not like rain especially when he had plans to explore L'Ile du Girard. So instead Mr. Kite and His Lady had a tipple of Tetley tea throughout the day as they watched Treecreepers, Chaffinch and Pied Wagtails.

Cheers from the gloomy Jura.

Tuesday 7th June (Bongo Drums on The Confluence)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window on a sunny morning with the trees waving gently in the breeze. Today Mr. Kite was cycling to find The Confluence of the Loue and Doubs. With his out of date map Mr. Kite decided to find The Confluence the difficult route; from the other side of the rivers.

So Mr. Kite cycled along the roads to Rahon with Chaffinch singing and the occasional Chiffchaff. At the end of the village Mr. Kite then pedaled down a track towards The Confluence. Now the end was never in sight as Mr. Kite cycled over down more tracks and unpaved roads and more tracks and under disused railway bridges until the tracks moved away from the trees that line the river. At this point Mr. Kite changed his plan and returned to Rahon stopping to watch Red-backed Shrike, Stonechats and Common Buzzards.

Trying a few more tracks Mr. Kite eventually came to a road that was tarmaced but had the sign, ‘route barre’; so Mr. Kite cycled down this traffic free road listening to warblers. A mile down the road Mr. Kite stopped to allow a Grass Snake to cross the road in front of him. Soon Mr. Kite reached The Wall that barred the route across the river. Now Mr. Kite climbed on The Wall and walk onto the bridge over the river. With egrets flying around Mr. Kite looked up stream for The Confluence and downstream for The Confluence. Mr. Kite worked out that The Confluence was upstream so he pedaled back along the road and explored track leading to the river. In the thick and dense undergrowth Mr. Kite had fleeting glimpses of birds but not long enough to identify them.

Mr. Kite found the foundations of a new barrage to control the water during flooding of the Loue and Doubs but not The Confluence. However the area was interesting and had ‘potential’. Following more tracks along the rive Mr. Kite looked through thick woodland for The Confluence but could not be sure. So towards the end of the afternoon Mr. Kite pedaled back to Parcey.

In the sweltering heat Mr. Kite stopped on the campsite to put on his slinky bathers and had a swim in the pool. After a long cool break Mr. Kite set out to find The Confluence the easy way. So he headed along the road past the Golf Club until a sign pointing to The Confluence. After a thirty metre walk Mr. Kite was putting his toe into the water of the Loue and Doubs as a Bongo Drum player beat out a jungle beat a few metres away.

With the sound of water and Bongo Drums Mr. Kite was happy to have reached page 64; although the bird life was quiet. Mr. Kite then returned to The Joint for a tipple of Leffe Blond. Cheers from Mr. Kite.

Monday 6th June (Page 64; L’Ile du Girard)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see butterflies amongst the leaves. Today Mr. Kite and His Lady were heading to Parcey in the Jura.

 

In the warm sunshine Mr. Kite drove along roads and motorways to reach Parcey, passing a Red Fox on the way. Now Mr. Kite likes camping by rivers and today he parked The Joint on the banks of the River Loue. On page 64 of Wildlife Travelling Companion France by Bob Gibbons and Paul Davies they mention the confluence of the rivers Loue and Doubs and the nature reserve of L’Ile du Girard; so Mr. Kite thought he would like to see it.

First things first; Mr. Kite cycled around looking at the River Loue and the streams, brooks and waterways that flow into it. The river was shallow and Mr. Kite watched fish, heard Nightingales and looked for places to watch nature.

Eventually Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and sat in the warm sunshine enjoying a tipple of Kronenbourg. Cheers from page 64.

Sunday 5th June (One Flew Over Mr. Kite)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto green grass and a family of Blackbirds feeding. After his ‘world birding tour’ Mr. Kite thought he would take it easy.

In the morning Mr. Kite watched White Storks flying around and circling. Then he set off on a leisurely tour of a few ponds. On one pond Mr. Kite watched a Purple Heron. Now Purple Herons don’t like people watching them so Mr. Kite sat near a bush and did not move. This bird was not having much success and eventually took to the air.

Mr. Kite cycled along tracks looking for a good vantage point;  are a thousands ponds there is a good chance of finding a suitable place and soon Mr. Kite was sitting happily watching birds. Egrets and Herons were plentiful and then Mr. Kite noticed a Black Tern sitting on the shore. Soon this bird was flying around the pond ‘turning sharply’; no pun meant. After five minutes the Black Tern left.

Mr. Kite then cycled to Etang Chaffaud on the edge of Villars-les-Doombes as it was on the way back. In the hot sun Mr. Kite sat and watched another Purple Heron feeding unsuccessfully. When another Purple Heron attempted to land on the communal pond the resident bird flew straight at it and drove it away. As a result of watching Purple Herons Mr. Kite did not consider this was their day; they were failures at fishing and anti-social with the communal pond.

Mr. Kite then looked to the left to see a white bird flying towards the town with it’s wings beating rapidly. This bird continued ‘like an arrow’; straight and level. As it became closer Mr. Kite could see it’s long straight ‘spoon-shaped bill’. Now the question was whether this ‘Eurasian Spoonbill’ was just flying over; or was it an escapee from Parc des Oiseaux?

Did it matter? Not really, Mr. Kite enjoyed watching a ‘Spoonbill fly’.

Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and sat on a chair with a tipple of Kronenbourg watching White Storks and listening to Pelicans. Cheers.

Saturday 4^th June (Around the World Birding in Eight Hours)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window and watched a Night Heron fly past. Another good start to a warm and sunny day.

Mr. Kite had a plan for the day. Mr. Kite and His Lady were taking shank’s pony for a world tour stopping at every continent to watch birds.

Just before eleven o’clock Mr. Kite stopped to watch Magpies, Jackdaws and Wood Pigeon before entering Parc des Oiseaux at Villars-les-Doombes for the ‘world tour’. Now Mr. Kite and His Lady and shank’s pony paid twenty-two euros for the tour.

Heading towards North America Mr. Kite had time to spot a few Caribbean Flamingos before the Vultures from North America. Heading south to South America there were Argentine Blue-billed Duck, Humboldt Penguins and Condor.

Reaching Australia Mr. Kite and His Lady took shank’s pony into a cage where Wallabies bounced nearby and Pied Cormorants fished and Budgies flew along with doves, pigeons and House Sparrows.

From Australia shank’s pony soon took Mr. Kite and His Lady to Asia to watch Cranes, Java Sparrows and other exotica. The tour was in full flight with Toucans, Pelicans and Macaws making an appearance.

With time rushing by it was now Africa where Mr. Kite and His Lady saw many species of Hornbill, monstrous Ostrich and more ducks. By this time other people could be seen on the world birding tour wearing blue hats with birds embroided onto them. At six euros Mr. Kite was to mean to buy one. Whilst other ‘birders’ on this world tour sat in the cafes to eat and drink Mr. Kite treated His Lady to egg sandwiches and a flask of coffee that he had prepared earlier.

Soon Mr. Kite was leaving Africa to return to the birds of Villars-les-Doombes; the herons, storks and egret. In this smelly cage Mr. Kite and His Lady had close views of the heronry.

Besides the ‘bird-spotting’ Mr. Kite was pleased to see that The Parc had recognized the brilliant distorted paintings of birds by John James Audubon made to fit onto a standard sized piece of canvas and Jan Brueghels paintings of common birds.

Mr. Kite also noted that the Lesser Rhea was also called Nandovde Darwin. Is that of interest? Yes, as Darwin also resided in Shropshire.

Anyway after ‘the world tour’ where Mr. Kite spotted more than ‘two hundered lifers’ and bringing his year list now to well over five hundred, including the stuffed museum species it was now time to return to The Joint for a celebratory drink.

Mr. Kite had a tipple of one of his favourite Belgian Beers. Leffe Ruby. Cheers from Mr Kite as he writes up his birding list for the year.

Friday 3rd June (Dawn Chorus in the Jungle)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a clear blue sky and listened to a dawn chorus that included Peacocks. This was the nearest thing to being in the jungle.

Today Mr. Kite had decided to cycle around ‘another land of a thousand ponds’ to watch birds and record the number of species spotted. On a warm day Mr. Kite slowly cycled along the roads past ponds watching Great White Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Little Egrets. Then there were Grey Heron and Purple Herons and almost every kind of duck except Garganey.

Mr. Kite rode through le Plantay past the Abbey de Doombes onto Marlieux, Beaumont and back to Villars-les-Doombes and recorded fifty species of bird. Mr. Kite had listened carefully as he ambled along hoping to pick up on a different song but he heard Cuckoos, Reed Warblers and Chiffchaff.

Now in the ‘jungle dawn chorus’ Mr. Kite thought he heard a Pelican so after his warm cycle ride he sat down and had a tipple of Pelforth 3 Malts and did then spot the Pelican on the label. Cheers from a place where Pelicans are heard and seen on bottles.

Thursday 2nd June (Villars-les-Doombes)

Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the four chickens walking around and pecking at the earth. From a nearby tree a Golden Oriole sang so Mr. Kite crept out of The Joint and looked for the singing bird that was very close. The bird then stopped singing and Mr. Kite continued to search but it was not seen.

Soon after breakfast Mr. Kite and His Lady were travelling along the quiet French roads. This being a holiday the big lorries were not working.

Eventually The Joint was parked amongst festive French people enjoying their day off in the sunshine. On the site Mr. Kite watched White Storks fly overhead and Blackbirds feeding under the neatly cut hedges.

Mr. Kite then had a little trip around the area on The Beast. The first stop was the observatoire at Etang du Grand Turlet. Now Mr. Kite soon noticed that this pond was empty; it was devoid of water. Where the lake should have been was a ploughed field without birds or fish although Mr. Kite listened to a Reed Warbler scratching away.

Secondly Mr. Kite watched some White Storks feeding their young ones on large nests that Tree Sparrows were also using as a nest.

In the heat Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a cool tipple of Leffe Blond. Cheers from a lively place where the French are on holiday and Mr. Kites is quenching his thirst.

Sunday 8th May (What a Lark)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a bright blue Meditteranean sky. Not a cloud could be seen and the warm air wafted through the mosquito mesh.

Today Mr. Kite had a plan to watch Larks and Wheatears through his super telescope. So Mr. Kite and His Lady had breakfast. Just after le petit dejeuner rumour had it that there was a festival of bulls in the town. So Mr. Kite and His Lady strolled into town for the festivities.

Now Mr. Kite is not patriotic or a celebrator of events; he only celebrates every day for what it brings. Today in France was 8th Mai; a day to celebrate the end of the war and the liberation of France. So firstly Mr. Kite and His Lady watched a few French war veterans parade to the memorial followed by a detachment of the U.S. Eigth Army with trucks and a few armoured cars.

The parade of bulls was to be later so Mr. Kite decided that he and His Lady would book a ticket for a fifty minute tour of The Camargue on the Petit Train to observe the flora and fauna of the area in style. So at eleven o'clock le petit train left le Gare. Now Mr. Kite thought he would point out the species of birds to His Lady; not that she needs telling. So it was Swallow, House Martin, Starling, Pied Wagtail and House Sparrow. As expected the petit tourist train stopped by five feeding Flamingo's. Now this was a very impressive sight; Mr. Kite and His Lady watched these magnificent birds using their beaks to filter the residue on the lagoon floor.

Soon the tourist train moved off to some inland water where The Tourists stopped to feed Mallards, Coots and Moorhens. Lots of photographs were taken of the birds and nearby a white Camargue horse was paraded for a photoshot. Now Mr. Kite does not have a camera so he watched a tortoise swimming in water and frogs leaping into streams. Mr. Kite and His Lady enjoyed their fourteen euros train journey and felt like real tourists.

Mr. Kite and His Lady alighted from the train and sat on a bench in the warm sunshine and waited for the bulls to run down the road. Now Mr. Kite had high expectations of this event. With bulls running around the place Mr. Kite had removed any red garments and sat on a bench near some metal railings so that he could escape if the black bulls ran amok.

With Mr. Kite and His Lady prepared for the charge of the bulls a number of riders came down the street on horseback with black bulls  securely in the middle. Without too much fuss the bulls were in the arena and the gates closed. Mr. Kite thought that this was disappointing.

On the way back to The Joint Mr. Kite and His Lady disturbed a Grey Heron who took to the air and then promptly dropped down on a Grass Snake. Now Mr. Kite and His Lady often watch Grey Herons and this was pretty good. With the reptile safely in the beak of the bird the heron flew away.

Mr. Kite then spotted a Tawny Lark on some rocks. With the day made Mr. Kite and His Lady returned to The Joint for a tipple of Kronenbourg 1664. Cheers from The Camargue.

Wednesday 18th May (Gorgeous Gorges and Girls)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see a Blackbird picking scraps of bread on the ground. Today The Incapacitants headed to the Jonte Gorge with The Superscope. In the sunshine The Incapacitants sat on a wall a watched Griffon Vultures, a Dartford Warbler and girls climbing a cliff. Other birds were spotted but on a warm day just sitting and watching and not working was sufficient for a great day.

When The Incapacitants returned to The Joint the bar was open and happy hour lasted from one hour to the next and the Kronenbourg flowed well into the evening. Cheers from the free bar that serves chilled beer in warm sunshine.

Wednesday 1st June (Chickens and not Bunnies)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see four  clucking chickens. Two were brown, one white and a dominant grey-black one. Now being a bird-watcher Mr. Kite noted they all had different coloured  plumage and feet. However they were all the same shape as they strutted along in a group clucking happily as they picked at morsels of food on the ground.

These 'cluckers', living not too far away from Bourg-en-Bresse, have serious competition and have to meet high expectations because poulet de Bresse is a superior chicken and is the only chicken in France granted an appellation d'origine controlee. Mr. Kite thought that these four chickens, although not superior, were pretty smart free range chickens. The question Mr. Kite ask is, 'who will eat them; the fox or the people?

On a breezy cloudy day Mr. Kite has decided to watch birds from the comfort of The Joint. So far the list is Magpie, Blackbird and Jay. Later a Robin popped by and a Red Squirrel entertained Mr. Kita and His Lady by climbing onto a plastic chair to leap onto a table and then walk up a hammock string into a tree and away into a drey.

Now on a cool rainy day in the France the bar opened early and Mr. Kite had a tipple of Leffe Blond and a few Kronenbourg's. Cheers from Mr. Kite.