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.