Away days

Pas de Calais - warm, dry, light airs - Spent the day in France with the family, so not a birding trip. However, we followed the coast road to Boulogne stopping off a couple of times between Ambleteuse and Wimereux where Chiffchaffs were abundant, plus lesser numbers of singing Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Cetti`s Warblers. Also noted plenty of Linnets, Goldfinches, a Tree Pipit, four Grey Partridges, two Stonechat, six Jays, Skylark, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard. The beach at Wimereux attracted a large mixed flock of gulls including 50 Med Gulls and 30 Sandwich Terns.

                                Kittiwakes, Boulogne harbour

The only birding highlights in a run down Boulogne was a singing Black Redstart in the crumbling old town and the Kittiwake colony on the derelict ferry terminus beside the harbour.