Chanson D'amour - Manhatten Transfer

As you will likely have realised yesterday's post was a day ahead of its time, but for me the temptation of showing off such a variety of birds was all too much. It was 13:00 Friday we left Harbins and just 5 minutes later we were starting the boarding process for our flight to France. Starting any journey that way is a huge bonus and by 13:45 we were airborne.

Don't quite know how RyanAir managed to get 25 minutes ahead

schedule but by 16:25 'local' we arrived at

in the South of France.

While this chart gives no indication of our 

final destination

it was a pleasant enough couple of hours driving past

quaint French villages

and acre upon acre of Sunflowers before arriving at

south and west of the airport.

The Welcoming Committee consisted of this

LIZARD, yet to be identified,

and what is thought to be THE SORCERER (moth) Aedia leucomelas which my learned friend has trapped before in France and Italy. Think there is only one UK record, with the only confusion species being The Alchemist. If you see another it should be stunning black and white.

A quick photographic trip around the house and garden

needs little by way of explanation except

when it comes to my bedroom!!

After the fact finding tour, it was most certainly time for dinner

so another short drive to the neighbouring village of

MARCIAC
and the 

a favoured eating house of Hugh and Janet.

A convivial welcome for us all from left
HUGH, MOI, JANET and her mum JOYCE.

Mine Host
BRUNO

and Chef STEPHAN

Foie Gras de Canard the starter for me

followed by one of my all time favourites
Confit de Canard.
I did ask if there was a 'Duck Dessert' which raised a chuckle.

Joyce opted for the Meringue

but failed to scale the North Face on her own.

 For me Moelleux au Chocolat.

The evening was completed with a 1976 Armagnac after which

we bid our Hosts and Fellow Dinners 'good night'
and wandered back to the perfect tranquillity of the house.
The property is owned by the Dampney Family but when not in use
is available 'on lease' to one and all.
Please Visit
http://www.gasconholiday.co.uk/

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Lost In France - Bonnie Tyler

It was, say it myself I shouldn't, a stroke of genius to confine my day to wandering on and not too far from Hugh and Janet's property. Bright and sunny for the best part, the birds were already in good voice before springing out of bed at 06:00. With vocal

 BLACK REDSTART

 and NUTHATCH

first and second on the day list it was worth keeping a count.

 HUMMING-BIRD HAWK-MOTH

was already busy on the herbacious borders while the first

 COLLERED DOVE

was the start of the most numerous species of the day

save for migrating Swallows.

House Martin climbed well into double figures, but there was only

 a single STONECHAT recorded.

 PIED FLYCATCHER,

reach a total of 3 while along with even more

 BLACK REDSTART

both were heard 'singing' and 'calling'.

 BLACKBIRD

remained as a 'single sighting' but

 CARRION CROW

 and CHAFFINCH were seen in the dozens.

 Only one COMMON BUZZARD,

 outnumbered by c3 distinctly different

GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS

 and lots of HOUSE SPARROWS

There were also quite a few CHIFFCHAFF,

 Willow Warbler

 and MEADOW BROWNS

 and still the BLACK REDSTARTS

continued to sing, pity we couldn't get closer.

 Another 'closeish encounter' with a

PIED FLYCATCHER

 SWEET CHESTNUT

 Singles of KESTREL,

 MAGPIE,

 SERIN,

 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER,

 TREE SPARROW

 and TURTLE DOVE

almost brought to and end a most exciting spell of 'birding'

but there was to be one last surprise.

A lone WHITE STORK heading south.

Oh, maybe I should have mentioned it before, but I doubt you would have got quite so excited as we are in fact on Hugh and Janet's property in the South of France. Much more of this "manana" as they say not far from here!

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Pretties For You - Alice Cooper

We have to contend ourselves today with Moth photos there having been little else on the agenda except for continuous rain. By and large these Insects seem to have been a little thin on the ground in recent days, however this morning there was a definite upward trend in numbers, another to add to the Property List along with several other Pretty Things, just for you! In view of the afore-mention we also decided on an 'Early Post'. Bet the Pine Bunting shows up now!

DUSKY THORN*

an Insect I have never clapped eyes on before was the 'addition'.

VESTAL

was found in 2 distinct hues, this pale, almost white, individual

 and another all over 'pink'

 This is the same Insect showing much vividly the 'pink'.
 It was interesting to receive the opinion of my Learned Friend.
he replies:-

To the Vestals, they are stunning! It is generally considered that the degree of pink colouration depends on where the larvae have developed, the warmer the temperature the pinker the resultant moth. Hence, very pink Vestals are presumed to be primary immigrants which have come from southern Europe, the brown looking ones are probably home bred. As we've had quite a warm summer this theory could get a bit muddied and locally bred moths could indeed look quite pink. Your moth is so pink I think they've come from somewhere near the bloody Equator! You are correct about the antennae, male moths have feathered antennae to enable them to detect the pheromones released by the females. This is how moths and butterflies find each other for a bit of lovin'! I shall bore you with an astonishing fact about Emperor Moths: the males can detect the females up to 6 miles away, and will indeed travel that far to mate! The trouble us boys go to for a 'spot of nonesense'!

A few more Pretty Ones

 The ups and downs of

BORDERED BEAUTY

 PURPLE THORN

 c3 pristine CENTRE-BARRED SALLOW

seemingly duller but just a small example of the 3 dozen or so

LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING
see them with open wings and you'd change your mind!

Setaceous Hebrew Character also occurred in similar numbers.

Rock Trivia:-

Pretties for You was the debut album by Alice Cooper. At that time the name 'Alice Cooper' referred to the band, not just its lead singer, though he too was also known as Alice Cooper. 

One of the 'most sensational' Rock Acts I have ever seen!

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THE RETURN OF THE SERBS!
'GREAT STUFF'
AND WELCOME BACK TO THE 'TOP TEN'

Maybe an opportune moment for 'everyone' to send the link to ALL Friends and Families!
The Bagsy Blog