Sailly Bray - First stop this superb wetland and one of my favourite sites in northern France, which certainly did not disappoint as it was alive with birds. Our main target here was Bluethroat and after a hesitant start we all eventually had good views of up to four birds singing and perched in reeds, bushes and tussock grass. We eventually clocked up 10 species of warblers including singing Cetti`s, Garden, Grasshopper and Marsh Warblers, plus six Nightingales, four Turtle Doves, Stonechats, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtails, Corn Bunting, Skylarks, Yellowhammer and Reed Buntings. Several Marsh Harriers were noted along with two each of Great White Egret and White Stork.
A small marsh nearby held 14 Black-winged Stilts, six Avocets, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and White Wagtail! Other birds along the valley included Little Egrets, Lapwings, Grey Partridge, Greater pecker, Long-tailed tit, Cuckoo, Jay and Swift, plus a Brown Hare. Phew! What a place.
Le Crotoy - Next stop the harbour at this pretty little seaside town at the mouth of the Somme on an incoming tide for waders. Hundreds of Black-headed Gulls were present plus, 20 Med Gulls on the far side of the bay. As the tide raced in we clocked up two Oystercatchers, 50 Ringed Plovers, three Grey Plovers, 20 Dunlins, three Common Sandpipers, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone. A flock of six Spoonbills flew over, plus more Little Egrets and White Storks. On the sea four Great Crested Grebes and a Common Scoter. A tranquil and scenic place to a while away an hour or two.
The road side lagoons north of the town were packed with breeding Black-headed Gulls, plus two Cattle Egrets, White Stork, two Garganey, Dabchick, Tufted Duck and brief views of a Swallowtail butterfly.
St Valery - A scan of the southern side of the estuary revealed more White Storks, Great White and Little Egrets, Shelducks, Yellow Wagtails, Mipit and Wheatear.
Crecy Forest - Our final port of call, in mid-afternoon, was the forest of Crecy, a breathtakingly beautiful place, the like of which does not exist anymore in England. We stopped at several random locations in the forest where the highlights were Crested Tit feeding young, Marsh Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, plus Nuthatch, Greater pecker, calling Tawny Owl and Buzzard. On the outskirts we noted a Hobby and six soaring Buzzards.
In summary, another fine days birding over the water, in great company, and on pot-hole free roads!
Thanks to CP for driving, MH for the gags and SG for keeping the bird list (103 species) and spotting that Swallowtail.
And thank you Paul for your very good company. A cracking day.
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