"Spotted" eagle sp.

On the afternoon of 21/12/08, in perfect light conditions, I watched an unknown eagle species soaring over our property - a common buzzard was soaring close by, giving good size comparison. Although I obtained excellent views for between one and two minutes, with the bird at no great height, I was unsure of the I.D. However, it gave me the impression of an "aquila" eagle and, after reference to various field guides, I believe it was either lesser spotted or greater spotted. The two are difficult to differentiate between, particularly when viewed from below, but I think it was most likely a juv. greater spotted, particularly bearing in mind that one or two winter regularly in the Camargue, whereas lesser spotted has a more easterly wintering range.

Alpine swift

Small numbers occur in both passage periods in April/May (first 22/03/08) and Aug/Sept., and breed in the mountains just to the north of Autignac. Can be watched at close quarters in their breeding habitat at Minerve. One over the village, with common swifts, on the summer date of 23/07/06, was a surprise, with others on 04/07/08, 20/07/08 and 17/06/10. A major movement occurred on 01/04/07, involved many dozens of birds, along with various raptor species, on a day of easterly wind and rain. A similar heavy movement, with common swifts, occurred 7/08/2007, again on a day of unsettled weather, but this was eclipsed on 9/08/09 when large numbers turned up, again with common swifts, again on a day of low cloud. In reality, hundreds would have been involved in this movement, the alpines outnumbering the commons at times. Quite superb!

Barn owl

Rumours of a bird being seen around the village materialised into a sighting by me on 12/05/04, the bird entering a hole in an old, but inhabited, building.

Barn swallow

Large numbers seen on spring passage from March, first 6/03/07, with a good number remaining to breed. The autumn passage can be equally heavy.

Bee-eater

Generally, a rather late spring migrant and summer visitor, not seen in any numbers until early May, when up to 100 birds were found re-fuelling from local bee hives, before moving on (2001)! New breeding colony in a bank created by roadworks found in 2003,following a particularly heavy spring passage. Small parties can be seen flying over the village throughout the summer and are generally present on wires on the southern village edge, but becoming noticeably more numerous in August, when parties of up to 60 birds are in evidence daily, and can also be heard during darkness,passing overhead. First were 2 very early birds hawking insects over the village in the evening of 3/04/04,last 15/09/03.

Black kite

Spring passage commences as for short toed eagle and the two species are often seen moving through together. Occasionally seen throughout the summer months but not abundant. First 8/03/04,last 09/10/04. On 28/03/05 groups of 7,12 and 15 passed through northwards and a group of 30 was part of a large raptor movement 21/03/06. They are the first of the raptors to return south, commencing in the first half of August. A group of c.100 passed over the village in the evening of 9/08/08, then quickly came down to roost in trees to the south of us. Magic! A similar sized group passed over the village, southbound, 3/08/09.

Black redstart

Abundant resident breeder, with numbers swelled in the autumn/winter period by birds presumably from further north, when as many as a dozen present together in our garden.

Black stork

2 were circling with a grey heron on the village edge on the morning of 30/08/07. They landed in a dead tree for a couple of minutes, before continuing their south-bound migration. Wow! Incredibly, a third bird passed over the village, southbound, in the early evening on the same day and a further 2 storks were seen circling in almost exactly the same spot as the first 2 mentioned, on 3/09/07, believed to be blacks also, although they drifted off south before I could confirm their exact I.D. One passed west, high, 29/04/09. One circled over the village, late in the afternoon on 2/09/09, for 15 mins or so, before going down to roost just outside the village, with a further bird arriving late the following day, to roost in the same area and, amazingly, a third circled over the village, with a Grey Heron, the next day!

Blackbird

Resident, also in small numbers, population swelling in autumn/winter.

Blackcap

Resident in good numbers, with perhaps numbers swelled in autumn/winter. Breeders continue to sing into July.

Black-winged stilt

2 flew over, heading south and calling, 6/05/05(per David Goulding). 3 flew over, heading east and calling, 30/07/06. 2 in flight, heading N.W., 10/08/08.

Blue tit

As for great tit.

Bonelli's warbler

Spring migrant, first seen 2nd week in April (first 7/04/03), some may stay to breed. Small numbers only and can be difficult to locate. Presumed more abundant in the deciduous woods in the Parc. Passage birds seen in the garden regularly,particularly in the autumn.

Booted eagle

Small number of passage migrants found to occur in both periods, largely spring and generally caught up in the passage of other raptors, notably honey buzzards. Spring 2002 was particularly good, with a total of 4 dark morph birds seen, 2 of them on 20/05/02, when a late movement of honey buzzards occurred. Two superb pale morph individuals passed through on 06/05/02, another good day for h.buzzard passage. A significent number were identified in a 2 day raptor passage of unpresidented proportions which occurred on 2nd and 3rd April 2004., but "first" date was an incredibly early dark morph individual over the house on 13/03/08. Autumn sightings are less common, but 2 pale phase birds which were caught up in a small passage of raptors on 15/10/04 and which passed by low and close, were memorable and even more so was a very late pale bird on 18/11/04. A pale morph bird, being mobbed by a kestrel, over the village on 3/07/06, was unusual and welcome! On 22/07/07, another pale morph bird plunged into our garden and took a starling from a feeding flock, then soared around with it in it's talons before drifting off with it, to feed - nice one for the garden list! On 24/09/07, 4 dark morph birds came over late in the day and roosted in trees to the south of the village.

Carrion crow

As for jackdaw.

Cattle Egret

Amazingly, I had to wait 4 years to add this species to my village list, when 3 approachable individuals were seen picking over a recently excavated building plot, 18/12/04 - this followed a night of severe NW gales. Singles seen since around the village throughout the rest of the winter and regularly around the outskirts of Beziers. Single in flight 21/12/05. 11 seen in the kennels of a pack of hunting dogs, 30/11/07, picking at the remains of meat bones! Subsequently, up to 7 birds seen in the yard of the local chicken abattoir, were no doubt exploiting a similar food source. Sightings have since become much more regular, reflecting the increasing population in this part of France. On 31.01.10, a flock of 7 flew into our garden, where they spent some 45 minutes, feeding!

Cetti's warbler

Present in suitable damp areas in village surrounds. Presumed resident, song heard from April, and again from October.

Chaffinch

Present in large numbers in the fields during the winter. Some may stay to breed.

Chiffchaff

Resident breeder, readily visiting gardens outside the breeding period. Sings from February onwards.

Cirl bunting

Abundant resident which will readily visit gardens. Sings throughout much of the year.

Coal tit

One in the garden on several dates in Oct 2005 and beyond was, remarkably, my first for the area.

Collared dove

Common resident.

Common buzzard

Common throughout the autumn/winter/spring period, presumed birds from the surrounding hills moving to lower land to hunt the fields. Much smaller numbers in summer. A gathering of 10 thermalling birds on 21/11/04, in fine, sunny weather, were perhaps late migrants.

Common Crane

This much anticipated species became a reality on 5/03/03 when a flock of 20 passed low over the village, calling and heading NE to their breeding grounds. Manifique! A southbound flock of 11 did the same in reverse on 20/11/05.

Cormorant

8 flew over the village on a day of low cloud, heading N.E., 30/03/03 and a group 0f 17 were noted in the same month in 2005. Their behavior suggested they were true migrants

Corn bunting

Resident in small numbers. Can be difficult to find. A group of 5 on 26/11/04 was unusual.

Crag martin

Small numbers found on village edge in times of passage, in amongst the house martins - need to looked for! 3 over the village 27/02/08 were presumed migrants. Can be found in most months in sheltered areas in the Region, particularly river valleys, where they probably spend the whole winter.

Crested lark

Present in small numbers in the cultivated areas around the village, particularly on the eastern side, but much less common than woodlark.

Crossbill

This species occasionally arrives in late summer, presumably having "erupted" from continental Europe. They were particularly noticable in 2008 and 2009 - late August 2009, for example, saw birds, max.4, around the garden edge on several dates.

Cuckoo

Seen and heard from about the 2nd week in April( first 1/04/03). Appears to favour the outlying hills.

Dartford warbler

Resident breeder in small numbers in village surrounds - may be more widespread than appears. 4-5 seen together in a small area of garrigue, 30/11/07.

Dunnock

Similar comments as for wren, but more widespread in winter 2001/02.

Eagle owl

One was heard “singing” at 11pm on 22/12/01 in the valley to the south of our house. Considered to be a wandering individual, perhaps driven out of the surrounding hills in the exceptionally cold weather at that time. (see later notes on species occurring in the Parc). Amazing, I found a dead one on a dirt track a few hundred metres from our home, in November 2006. It was in good condition and appeared to be freshly dead, with no signs to indicate the cause of death. What it was doing it the vicinity of the village is a mystery, as the weather was exceptionally mild and there was no reason for it not to be in normal eagle owl habitat. Since then, I have been shown and seen, eagle owls at 2 sites, both within half an hour of Autignac, so perhaps the dead bird had not wandered too far.

Eleonora's Falcon

First found 16/06/08, sitting in a dead tree in the rain in the valley to the south of our house; in the absence of seeing it fly, I had to dismiss the bird as an unknown falcon, but suspected it could be a pale morph Eleonora's. Luckily, however, it turned up in the evening of 20th and I watched it hawking insects in the same valley for a good half hour, in amongst the local swifts. Wow, what a cracker! The lazy flight and flexible wingbeats and the way it spread it's tail when swooping up to catch insects, took me back to previous sightings I had had on Mediterranean holidays. A very small number of these impressive birds turn up annually at Gruissan, on the coast in late summer, but this bird was well outside the norm, and a superb addition to my village list! Incredibly, another turned up in the early evening of 20/09/09, a superb dark morph bird, which I watched from our terrace, for 15 minutes or so, interacting with local Kestrels and Jackdaws, before drifting off, west!

Eygptian Vulture

10am, 5/09/09, an adult drifted over our house, before briefly circling over the land to the south, then continuing to migrate southwards. Interesting to speculate where the bird had summered, perhaps the Camargue or the Cevennes? The ultimate prize!

Fieldfare

A flock of c.20 flew N.E. after a spell of particularly cold weather in December 2003 and a similar sized flock did exactly the same on 7/12/05 - thereafter quite widespread, perhaps reflecting the hard winter in 2005/6. On 19/01/09, c.12 flew over, heading NW.

Firecrest

Seen as for goldcrest, sometimes the two together. December 2000 was a particularly good month for this gem, when they seemed to be everywhere, but presumably most then moved on with the season. Also seen in suitable breeding habitat in the spring, including display at Gorg d'Heric in April, to the north of the village.

Garden warbler

One or two only in the spring, possibly on passage, until 2 or more turned up in the garden on 20/09/09, along with a fall of Pied Flycatchers and Blackcaps.

Goldcrest

Seen in and around village in winter period, but presumed breeder also.

Golden Eagle

An adult was watched soaring in the middle distance to the south of our property, and slowly drifting south, on 14/11/02. A remarkable record so far from the mountains, although the species is known to be present on the Caroux massif, to the north of the Orb valley, with further pairs in the Parc.(I watched another adult for 8-10 mins. soaring over the Gorges d'Heric, on 21/12/02). I have seen further birds at Minerve in June 2003 and September 2006 and one above St Gervais on 21/11/05. Then, on 06/04/06, I watched a 2nd summer bird, also soaring over the land to the south of our property, before drifting west towards the hills. On 21/05/09 another sub-adult, probably 2nd summer, appeared over land to the south of us and I watched it over a half hour period, soaring around, generally quite low and landing occasionally. It was mobbed, in turn, by a male Montague's Harrier and a local pair of Buzzards, before drifting off to the SW! Friends and I watched a breeding pair in the Minerve area, during the 2010 breeding season, which sucessfully raised a chick to the flying stage. I've seen sub-adults in 2008 and 2010 in an area behind Beziers airport, which is much favoured by raptors, presumably due to abundant prey there.

Golden oriole

Spring migrant and breeder, arriving at the end of April, numbers varying year-to-year, but usually present in suitable habitat. They frequently fly to surrounding fields to feed, making them easily watchable. Continue to sing throughout the summer, into August(last song 28/08/09), when gatherings often occur, with much interaction, up to 14 birds being counted together in August 2004 - in fact, August is probably the best month to get clear, perched views of them. First 25/04/02, last 06/09/06.

Goldfinch

Present in large numbers alongside chaffinches in the winter, but some local breeders - young will visit gardens with their parents.

Goshawk

Seen on 3 occasions in winter 2000/2001, perhaps the same bird on each and presumed to have come from the surrounding hills to hunt. Another, seen harassing a common buzzard, 23/08/01 and an adult over the house 22/08/03. Since, seen once or twice most years, presumed passage birds

Great spotted cuckoo

A speciality of the area, first seen in mid March (first 2/03/08), as singles or pairs, harassing and being harassed by the local magpies! Adults seem to leave the area by the end of May (last heard 19/06/04, exceptionally late), but juveniles can be seen into the summer months, often with their surrogate magpie parents. In 2007, at least 5 juvs were still on the village edge on 15th August, 3 with the same magpie pair and the other 2 with another pair (last 27th Aug.). 3 adults together 16/03/03 and 4 30/05/09, chasing round and calling excitedly Two juvs spent much time with their magpie parents around the village edge after the 2003 breeding season, visiting our garden many times - on one occasion the 2 were perched on our terrace balustrade, with the magpies bringing food to them! A juv found dead in our garden mid may 2009 - cause of death unknown, possibly starvation?

Great spotted woodpecker

Resident in small numbers, again presumed more numerous in the Park.

Great tit

Resident in good numbers.

Green sandpiper

A single flushed from a small pond on the village edge, 13/03/07, which flew off, calling. Another, perhaps the same, flew high over the garden, eastwards, 02/04/07.

Green woodpecker

Rather scarce resident, presumed more numerous in the deciduous woods in the Parc just to the north of the village.

Greenfinch

Present in small numbers, mainly in the winter.

Grey heron

occasional visitor to local reservoir and "fly-overs"

Grey wagtail

One picking about on a small road, near to a wooded stream 10/02/08 was, amazingly, my first village record!

Griffon vulture

A bird soaring to the west of the village 22/03/08, before moving off north, was a major surprise and a superb addition to my village list! I've seen them on several occasions in the Minerve area, where birds, mainly juveniles apparently, commute regularly between the Cevennes and the Pyrenees. A single soared over land to the south of our house on 3/09/09 - watched for 15 mins, before it drifted off, west, then one came in from the east on 11/05/10, drifting straight over to the Regional Parc.

Hawfinch

A very small number turned up in the early part of the year (2001) and were present for a few weeks, before disappearing, perhaps back to the hills. Unlike their British counterparts, they were quite approachable. A superb adult appeared on the garden edge 11/12/05,after a frosty night, where it fed on olives and another, perhaps the same individual, 13/01/06, then two together 16/01/06 and finally, two in flight 02/04/06. Single, 19/12/09.

Hen harrier

Seen occasionally throughout the winter months, when a small population evidently roams the countryside, preying on the abundant passerine population. Invariably ringtails, adult males being in a minority. In late afternoon on 10/12/08 I watched three hunting the same area of garrigue to the south of us, one at least being an adult male. They appeared to be chasing passerines, mainly chaffinches, which were heading into the hills to roost. Winter 2008/9 turned out to be exceptional for the species, individuals being seen at many localities. Normally present in winter on nearby coastal marshes (see later notes).

Hobby

Seen in very small numbers, always as singles, on spring passage from about the 2nd week in April. Also one was watched for 20 minutes or so on the evening of 05/08/01 soaring around outside our land. It appeared to be looking for potential opportunities to prey on the juvenile house martins but only made one, unsuccessful strike. An autumn bird, on 06/09/06, was unusual.

Honey buzzard

Spring passage commences at the beginning of May and lasts for about two weeks, with autumn passage being even more concentrated in the last few days of Aug/first few days of Sept (but with small numbers continuing to pass south throughout September). Spring stragglers continue to drift north until as late as mid June. Other species, particularly booted eagle, are well worth searching for in these movements. Spring passage in 2001 produced approx. 300 H.Bs over and around the village and autumn passage in 2002 was even more productive, the best day being 29/08/02 when a hugh movement occurred, approx. 600 being counted up until midday. On 6/05/08, an est.500-1000 birds passed through in a two hour spell in the middle of the day, in classic low cloud conditions, with a further c.200 in a half hour spell on 16/05/08 and a similar number, again in the same easterly air flow, on 27/05/08. These figures would not, of course, represent all the birds passing through and would only represent a fraction of the numbers passing up and down the coast at the respective times. Breeds in the Regional Parc, where it can be seen throughout the summer months and where I have seen displaying males on several occasions. On 14/05/10, I watched a pale individual drifting around to the south of our property, which then started to do the spectacular and unique wing-clapping display! As they never display whilst on passage, this bird may have been looking to settle in the area for the breeding season. The same bird produced a superb series of approx 30 wing-claps in a ten minute spell, in the same area, on 17/06/10 - surely, the ultimate raptor experience!

Hoopoe

Another delightfully common summer visitor to the village edge. First arrivals are in early March, but I flushed an amazingly early bird from a path on the village edge, on 23/02/10 - they sometimes overwinter in France, which this individual may have, although I saw it on an exceptionally mild day and this may have brought it in. Singing continues until June and several pairs present. Last 21/09/02.

House Martin

Abundant local breeder in the village, first birds arriving in March. "First" record, 04/03/07.

House sparrow

Common resident.

Jackdaw

Resident in small numbers.

Jay

Resident in small numbers. Presumed more abundant in the Parc.

Kestrel

Common resident, but particularly numerous in the autumn/early winter.

Kingfisher

One flew low over our garden, 27/06/05! One flushed from perch at small reservoir on village edge, 8/12/09. Can be seen on river courses, particularly the Orb and on the coastal marshes.

Lapwing

A flock of 17 headed northwards 13/03/05 - this followed a cold second half to the 2004/5 winter on the western side of Europe and the birds may well have pushed further south than normal, in response. 2 flying west 20/12/09, again when severe weather affected much of W. Europe.

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Pleasantly common resident around the village in 2001, frequently visiting gardens and heard calling. Drumming only very occasionally in the spring. Subsequently, appeared to be less common, perhaps suffering from spells of severe weather, particularly in 2002 and 2003. Pair feeding together 30/11/07.

Lesser Whitethroat

A superb juvenile turned up in the garden on the morning of 20/09/09, along with a fall of Pied Flycatchers, Blackcaps and Garden Warblers.

Linnet

Good numbers seen at various times of the year, particularly from October into the winter, when they join the passerine flocks roving the vine fields.

Little egret

Amazingly, it took me over 7 years to record this species on my Autignac list! On 16/05/08 a single flew north, over the house. Plentiful on the coastal marshes, of course.

Little owl

A bird found dead, a roadside casulty, just outside the village, 1/09/07 (per A. Collins).

Long tailed tit

Resident, family parties flitting through the garden periodically.

Magpie

Resident in fairly large numbers, especially in winter, when up to 27 together seen in vine fields.

Marsh harrier

Mainly seen as an early spring migrant, when significant numbers can occur in periods of easterly winds and rain, pushing birds away from the coast. Such conditions occurred on 2nd/3rd April 2004 and 1st/2nd April 2007.

Meadow pipit

Widespread winter visitor to the fields, in small numbers, but significantly more common in winter 2001/02.

Melodious warbler

Summer breeder, arriving April and then present in good numbers. First 12/04/06.

Merlin

A probable in August was followed by a bird seen well on 2 occasions in the afternoon of 8/10/05, dashing around on the village edge. A male flew across the valley to the south of our property, with prey, 04/03/06 and a north-bound migrant passed over the house 01/04/07, on a day of major raptor passage. One flew over a road on the village edge, 7/12/09, like a bat out of hell!

Montague's harrier

A good sprinkling of spring passage migrants, usually males, from 2nd week in April. Also scattered individuals seen throughout the summer, suggesting a small summering/breeding population - bred on village edge in 2007, adults and young giving terrific views - will breed in loose colonies where numbers are sufficient and, the major such site in the Herault, about 40 mins from Autignac, holds some 10-12 breeding pairs. "First" date 27/03/08. 4 soaring together 24/08/07 may have been migrants, as there was a heavy raptor passage that day - they mobbed, in turn, passing booted eagle and goshawk! "Last" date was a juv 11/09/09.

Moorhen

Heard on odd occasions along local water courses, but not seen until one was viewed in flight 16/12/04. Very wary, no doubt due to attentions of local hunters.

Nightingale

Summer visitor in large numbers from mid April, when seen/heard singing from all available cover. Unlike birds visiting Britain, they continue to sing until the end of June (last song 16/07/06). First date 06/04/06.

Nightjar

Seen and heard in May, presumed passage birds, but churring also heard in the summer months, just outside the village, presumed to be breeding birds. Bird seen at very close quarters 1/07/04, which flew around me twice, obviously very curious and late churring bird heard 5/8/04.

Orphean warbler

Another speciality of the area! Several of this cracking species take up residence in the village surrounds from 3rd week in April and are quite reliable to see, with patience. 2 singing males found at a new site on the southern side of the village in 2003. Continue to produce their distinctive song until the end of June. First 23/04/03.

Osprey

One migrant passed high overhead 16/09/01 and one in the evening of 13/05/05 which dropped down to the local reservoir, where it probably roosted. An early migrant was over the village 14/03/07 and another 23/03/07. Another autumn passage bird was over the village 30/08/07. A late spring bird, presumably non-breeder, passed north 27/05/08, along with a passage of c.200 honey buzzards. Seen in passage periods passing along river systems, particularly the Orb river and on the coastal etangs.

Peregrine

I watched one, an adult male I believe, for several minutes, in May 2006, which soared over the village, before it went into a long shallow stoop and disappeared behind trees. It was a day when clearing rain brought honey buzzards and a Montague's harrier through on passage. Peregrines can be seen in the gorges of the Regional Parc. Another, with prey, soaring over the same area, 24/08/07, which was also a day of raptor passage,principally HBs. An adult watched for c.20 mins, 10/08/08, soaring around, during which time it made just one, unsucessful, stoop, then a further individual 2/09/08 passed through fairly quickly, southbound. Another adult appeared over the village 1st and 2nd Sept 2009, during a spell of low cloud and easterlies. An adult passed to the south of the village, heading NW, 13/05/10. One appeared over the house, cirling around, 15/08/10, being quickly joined by 2 Montague's Harriers, one of which started mobbing the falcon, before the latter drifted away and went into a steep stoop, on unknown prey.

Pheasant

Present in small numbers, much persued by hunters during the shooting season! A pair visited our garden 15/12/03, possibly disturbed elsewhere by hunters.

Pied flycatcher

Sprinkling of spring passage migrants in April/May, sometimes with redstarts. Seen daily in large numbers in Aug/Sept (first autumn date 22/08/06), including daily in the garden. Last 13/10/03.

Purple heron

A single bird took up temporary residence at the local reservoir in May 2001. 5 were seen flying north later the same month. Others visited the reservoir 14/04/03, 24/08/05 and 30/05/06.

Quail

One was flushed from beside a track, 18/08/01 and one heard calling 18/05/04.

Raven

Up to five seen periodically in village surrounds, in winter period, presumably having moved down from higher land. Became much less frequent following closure of our local fly tip.

Red backed shrike

First seen at the end of April when a small passage was evident, including 3 separate birds in our garden (year 2001). Presumed migrants, as none were found in the breeding season, except for a juvenile, thought to be of this species, in the garden, 16/08/01. No further sightings of birds around the village until an adult male popped up on the garden edge 5/09/09, presumably a migrant, then a cracking male 11/05/10, which spent some 20 minutes hunting and, periodically, singing! The species seems to prefer higher, cooler parts of our Region to summer and breed.

Red kite

Small numbers pass through the area in both passage periods. "First" date 13/03/07. Thirteen were seen together on 23/10/05 and an immature on 21/11/04 was unexpectedly late. Seven, probably many more, were involved in a southerly movement on 27/09/07. A summer record, an adult on 12/07/08, was unusual,but a winter one, when a single drifted south 26/12/09, was perhaps less so, with increasing numbers overwintering in France, due to climate change.

Red rumped swallow

This species was an exciting and unexpected addition to my Autignac list, when I came across a total of 8 birds on 14/10/04, 4 adults and 4 juvs, sitting on wires on the village edge and hawking insects! They were clearly return migrants, and I could not find them later that day but found 4 birds still at the same site on 19th. The species is said to being slowly gaining a foothold in France, but remains scarce and elusive (I have 2 breeding sites locally). Return migration is said to take place in October, so these birds were spot on! A further 2 were hawking insects on the village edge 29/08/07 and a family party of 4 turned up over the garden on 12/09/07, the adults feeding the young on the wing. 3 were over the garden, 09/07/2009.

Red-legged partridge

Local resident in good numbers, in spite of the attentions of the hunters!I understand that birds are bred and released for "la chasse".

Redstart

Good sprinkling of spring passage birds mainly in April and again in autumn. First 25/03/05,last 6/10/05. Significant numbers passed through the garden on a day of poor weather 9/04/03, with as many as 5/6 birds together throughout the day. Two males held breeding territories in the spring/summer of 2005. A male visited the garden on the summer date of 16/06/08.

Redwing

Flocks of north bound thrushes, passing high overhead in the spring of 2004, were thought to have been redwings on occasion, rather than the usual song thrushes. One was feeding in the garden, along with grounded song thrushes, on 13/03/04, a day of low cloud and rain and another, in similar conditions, on 29/01/06.

Reed warbler

A migrant bird spent a good part of the day on 25/04/08 in trees on the edge of our garden, showing well and singing a sub-song on occasion. Nice record! Incredibly, another, (or perhaps the same?),appeared in exactly the same spot, on 25/05/08, feeding and singing periodically. Another appeared 8/05/10, staying 2 days and singing quietly. Perhaps this will become regular!?

Robin

Again similar to above 2 species, but with evidence of a small spring passage. Particularly numerous in winter 2001/02.

Rock bunting

A singing bird was an unexpected find 05/05/02, but could not be re-located subsequently. Although within the range of this species, the habitat is not typical. Another visited our garden 11/11/03, where it fed with cirl buntings. Then, on 11/12/05, a first winter and adult were seen in and around the garden and another on 17/01/06. Single, 2/12/07. Known to occur in the mountains of the Parc, where I have seen it.

Rock sparrow

Another local speciality, easily overlooked. Small flocks of 6 or more seen and will visit a garden. Particularly obvious in spring 2002. Recently fledged young were found in the village centre in July 2002 and regular sightings in spring/summer 2003 on the southern village edge.

Roller

Another speciality of the area. Rather scarce and difficult to find in the spring but becoming more numerous during July (they are late breeder and may wait for other hole nesting species, such as jackdaw, to finish breeding before settling down to breed-more work needed here!). The best areas are short distances from the village.e.g. on the D909 road to Beziers, on the country road to Pezenas (this latter area proved particularly good in 2003), etc. First 19/05/04,last 08/09/06.

Sand Martin

Small numbers occur on passage amongst the other hirundines.

Sardinian warbler

Resident breeder in good numbers and readily visits gardens. Late adult seen well 12/11/01.

Scops owl

Summer visitor, "first" date 15/03/02(and same date in 2008) and continuing to call until about mid August, although 2 birds heard calling to one another on the late date of 5/09/04. Several pairs thought to be present annually. I found a newly fledged juv floating, dead, in a swimming pool in the village,early Aug 2008.

Serin

Local breeder (has bred in our garden), numbers augmented in the autumn, when they join the other passerines roving the vine fields.

Short toed eagle

Spring passage commences in mid March (first 03/03/08) and lasts for the next two months, max number seen together was a remarkable 13 on 14/04/02, heading north. A small population of summering/breeding birds remains in the area. A loose group of 6, passed through in improving weather after rain, calling, 2/10/07 and my "last" record was of one over the village 09/10/07.

Short-toed treecreeper

Present in deciduous woodland areas around the village.

Siskin

Male and female in our garden, feeding on the ground, 17/12/02. As serin is so common locally, perhaps overlooked previously - we are well within the species' wintering range here.

Song thrush

Comments for wren apply to this species also. Some may stay to breed in very small numbers (one in the garden 11/05/06).

Southern grey shrike

An uncommon species, most likely to be found in the winter months, when individuals appear during cold snaps, but a very small number seen at other times of the year. In 2004, at a site on the village edge where an individual was regularly present, 2 birds were seen together during the spring, suggesting a possible breeding attempt and another 2 seen at a different site on the village edge in 2010, again suggested possible breeding.

Sparrowhawk

Mainly seen as a winter visitor, hunting the fields for passerines, but evidence of passage in both seasons. Many dozens were seen passing over and around the village on 2nd and 3rd April 2004, heading north, and 1st and 2nd April 2007, in periods of heavy raptor passage, which involved also marsh harriers and black kites on both occasions and the same spectacle, in reverse, occurred on 29/08/05 when large numbers of honey buzzards were passing south.

Spotted flycatcher

Very small numbers on spring passage in April/May. One in our garden 07/08/01.

Starling

Breeder in small numbers, but a hugh influx took place in October 2000, when migrants plundered the remains of the grape harvest. They moved on, but there was a second wave in November, the birds then feeding on olives. This invasion was repeated in the autumn of 2002, with perhaps even greater numbers than 2 years previously. The number of sparrowhawks, not surprisingly, increased during this influx.

Stonechat

Resident in small numbers. Particularly numerous in winter 2001/02, presumably due to birds from further north escaping the worse of the harsh winter weather that affected much of Europe.

Subalpine warbler

Summer breeder to village surrounds in good numbers from the 2nd week in April - first was a very early bird which turned up in our garden 22/03/10, a day of low cloud and light rain, where it fed on the ground along with other grounded migrants, such as chiffchaffs, chaffinches and black redstarts. Late adult seen well 12/11/01.

Swift

Local breeder in large numbers, first birds arriving in early April. First 02/04/07, last 9/09/01.

Tawny owl

Occasionally heard in the autumn/winter period, calling young also suggests a small breeding presence.

Tree sparrow

As for house sparrow – flocks readily visit our garden. 60 were counted 22/01/02, attracted to the garden by seed scattered on the ground for them.

Turtle dove

Delightfully common summer visitor from May onwards. First, 24/04/05,last 13/09/07.

Wheatear

One on 20/05/02 was an unexpected addition to the local list. Presumed female northern wheatear, but curiuosly nondescript individual, lacking any grey plumage on the back, but rather a buff brown. Another, 07/09/02.

Whinchat

Small spring passage, the first being in February in 2001.

White stork

One flew low over the village, heading north,12/03/02 and a group of 6 circled to the south of the village on 3/04/04, before disappearing into the cloud base. A group of 18 passed through 02/04/07, during a period of heavy raptor movement. Magic! 2 on 29/08/07, then 10 on 9/04/08, with c.15 found roosting in a field on the village edge the following morning and then a further 17 passed through later the same day.

White wagtail

Regularly seen as a passage migrant, with a small number remaining to breed.

Whitethroat

Passage birds visited the garden 23/04/05, 2/09/07, 10/04/08, 21/04/08 and 28/04/08. A significent number were found on the eastern side of the village, 29th and 30/04/09, presumed passage migrants, although one was in song and local breeding is possible.

Willow warbler

Seen/heard as a spring migrant from March/April in small numbers. One in our garden 07/08/01 and occasional bursts of song heard during that month in 2001.

Wood pigeon

Seen in small numbers at various times through the year, with some evidence of incresing numbers locally, perhaps due to more and more land being turned over to cerial crops. Some autumn flocks seen heading south, presumably to Spain, over the Pyrenees, understood to have originated from Russia - large numbers seen, for example, 16/10/09.

Wood warbler

Small number, presumed passage birds, seen in April/May.

Woodchat shrike

Spring passage occurs at the same time as for red backed shrike, but some evidently stay to breed, as present in small numbers in the summer, most reliably on the southern edge of the village. 2(a pair?) spent a day in our garden 03/05/02, then a female popped up 09/05/10.

Woodlark

Another pleasingly common bird, seen in flocks in the winter, a group of 9 regularly visiting our garden in the winter 2001/02. The delightful song heard from January through to the end of April and occasionally beyond. A further song period occurrs in September/October.

Wren

Scarce on our arrival here, but better numbers present in gardens as the autumn turned to winter.

Wryneck

An individual spent some time in our garden on 30/09/03, my first record for the area. Presumed to be a migrant in view of the date, it appeared amongst a fall of chiffchaffs, blackcaps and redstarts. One was calling and seen well on 3/05/05 in the garden surrounds and was present until at least 5th May - superb!

Yellow wagtail

Summer visitor in very small numbers and cannot be guaranteed.

Yellowhammer

One bird was seen in our garden in April - status unclear at present.

Yellow-legged gull

Occasional "fly-overs" and visitors to the local tip, before it's closure.

Zitting cisticola

Breeding resident in good numbers on village edge, but appeared to suffer a setback in the severe weather of December 2001.