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.