After a bit too much drama on day 1 of our recent holiday, we were pleased to have no plans for day 2 so that we cold enjoy settling into our accommodation for the first week, an old barn conversion with a pool and views of the Pyrenees just north of Lourdes. I had grand plans before arriving of heading out early up into the mountains to look for birds but the hire car was a bit of a chunk which put me off negotiating the narrow roads, at least without Rowan who has become quite a competent co-driver/navigator. We did venture out a couple of days (see future posts) but it was also good to just relax and enjoy the views and the sunshine.
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Black Kite
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| Black Kite |
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| Black Kite |
The only effort required was to occasionally jump out of the pool to photograph the Black Kites which were the most frequently seen 'garden bird' from the balcony. Red Kite also put in the occasional appearance over the course of the week, and we enjoyed an evening flight of Cattle Egret heading south on a few occasions. Black Redstart and Serin were often bombing around the village, and with the telescope, I could pick out Griffon Vultures in the foothills of the Pyrenees, which would occasionally pass high to the west of us.
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| Red Kite |
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| Black Kite - just clipped the wing off this one! |
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| Cattle Egret |
The birding highlight of our stay at the barn though came when the farmer decided to mow the small meadow juts below our balcony. As he did so a small bird which I suspected might be a Quail flew from one end of the meadow to the other, and as the mowing continued until just a small strip was left in the middle, sure enough a Quail flushed at the last moment, enabling me to grab a couple of record shots.
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| Quail |
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| Quail |
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| The Pyrenees, viewed from the pool |
Our eldest son George couldn't join us for most of the first week due to work commitments, but flew in to Lourdes on 2 July, conveniently just 10 minutes away by car. Black-winged Kite can apparently be seen around the airfield but to be honest I didn't look too hard. Once he arrived we were able to check out the sights in Lourdes proper, which included many Crag Martin hawking insects over the River Ousse which runs through the town.
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| Chateau Fort de Lourdes |
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| Crag Martin, Lourdes |
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| Crag Martin, Lourdes |
Crag Martin was also a highlight of a family trip to the spectacular caves of Grottes de Betharram - they were perched on the same window ledges that I photographed them on my first visit here in 2006. Black Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher also gave good views around the outbuildings.
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| Spotted Flycatcher, Grottes de Betharram |
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| Crag Martin, Grottes de Betharram |
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| Black Redstart, Grottes de Betharram |
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