Le Parc Ornithologique du Teich, Gironde

Let's dispose of the aliens first!  There are turtles in some of the waterways at this reserve.  They are not the native European Freshwater Turtles, but are a Florida, USA, species.

White Stork were nesting near the start of the main trail.

Home Sweet Home

Young House Sparrow

This little chap didn't seem concerned that a large school party in the hide was perhaps expecting something more exotic than un moineau.

Little Egret

Common Redshank

Black-winged Stilt

Where's he gone?

Large numbers of Black-winged Stilt can be relied on to come close to the hides.

Mute Swan

Avocet

Grey Plover (and Ringed Plover)

Dunlin

Cormorant

Stonechat

Black Kite

Les Étangs de la Brenne (2)

Continuing from last week's posting.  All the images this week were taken at L'étang de la Sous.  The weather continued to be showery.

I did have a target-species in mind at this location.  The mere is renowned for Whiskered Tern (chlidonias hybrida).  Ideally, I wanted an image of one in flight, but that's easier said than done.  They're small, fast, and can change direction in a flash.  You'll see how I did later.

The hide at this location is first-class and much favoured by photographers.  You need to be there early for a good place!

Gadwall

Coot

Black-headed Gull

Building material

Tucked away

Mute Swan

Walk on water

Great Crested Grebe

Whiskered Tern

x2

x5!

Discussion?

I said at the top of this blog that this was my target-species at this particular mere.  This is the best in-flight image I could manage on this visit.

Need to do better!

I’ve had flight-images with better detail and sharpness before, but they never quite included the whole bird.  Perhaps I’m improving!  They’re small birds and move remarkably quickly with unexpected changes of speed and direction.  You simply cannot anticipate where they will be next.

However, this next image was a first for me.  I'd never seen one before, let alone photographed one.  In fact, I wasn't really aware that they existed.  It was a bit too far away for a good result, but I managed a record image.  I could hear it singing from where I was.  Local visitors were quite excited by its presence.

Great Reed Warbler

Finally, a top predator.

Marsh Harrier

Next time I'll be posting images from Le Teich, Gironde, on the shores of the Arcachon Basin.