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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