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.