Birding in France (1 Viewer)

[Richard Ford]

Hi all

I am sure someone will be able to help and I believe there was a recent article in one of the Bird watching Mags that could have answered all my questions, if someone could scan it, or photocopy and post it to me I would be grateful.

I will be going to France for a day trip (Eurotunnel) in mid august and plan to fit in a few hours birding if possible. So what could I see and where within a few miles or a short drive from Calais?
I have no idea really but I suspect a few Heron species not common in this country (UK), Crested Tit, Cirl Bunting.
I don’t know but I am sure one of you does.
Thanks in advance

Richard

 

[Richard Ford]

I have just found this quote on the web.

"A number of species rare or scarce across the Channel are tolerably easy to find in the Pas de Calais (e.g. Honey Buzzard, Melodious Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Golden Oriole, Kentish Plover, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Crested Lark, Bluethroat, Marsh Warbler, Crested Tit and Serin) and other good species are possible with luck or effort (e.g. Great Reed Warbler, Bee-eater, Common Rosefinch and Black-winged Stilt)."

Now that has sure wet my appetite.

I will continue to see what info I can get of the Web, but any first hand information or advise would be gratefully received.

Cheers

Rich

 

[steve nunn]

Hi - try this as an excellent report/summary of sites

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/france/calaise/calais.htm

I go over from Kent 4/5 times a year. Always brilliant. Never had Cirl Bunting within easy striking distance of Calais but easy Golden Oriole, Fan Tailed Warbler, Little Bittern, Savis/Marsh/Icterine Whiskered Tern etc. Crested LArk and Kentish Plover as soon as you get off the ferry! Good luck

 

[walwyn]

I'm going to the St. Malo area in a couple of weeks and picked up a copy of "The birdwatchers guide to france - north of the loire" at the birdfair (AM's father lives in Brittany, her sister is about 40km from Tours). The data for the Calais area is pretty close to that on the birdtours web page.