Spent last week in western Normandy/eastern Brittany, on a family holiday involving no 'full-on' birding. Of note, Fan-Tailed Warbler (or Zitting Cisticola if you prefer) is relatively common around la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel. They sing from the saltmarsh as you pass along the causeway to le Mont-St-Michel. West of there they are present along the coastal road and footpaths along the coastline of the bay near Cherrueix.
Other highlights included adult Melodious Warbler feeding a fledged juv at Pontorson, female Goshawk at Macey, several Black Kites near Avranches, Spoonbill, Turtle Doves and the expected Little Egrets. Only had one Cirl Bunting, which I've seen in greater numbers in western and southern Brittany.
It was also good to see loads of House Sparrows. Those that live in the tight streets on le Mont-St-Michel and pick crumbs from the tourists seem to have a particularly idyllic existence.
Just got back from a school trip this week in and around Normandy, France. Not much time for birding but highlight for me, (new ticks) White stork flew over me no more than 3 or 4 metres above me barnacle goose also 50+ shelduck on the island to the side of Le Pont De Normandy bridge cuckoo little egret gc grebe several mallard cormorant grey heron lbb gull 10+ common kestrel !!! several buzzard mute swan coot swallow and swift rooks crows chaffinch hse sparrow linnet or a redpoll, too brief a view to be 100% nothing exciting i know but not 1 canada goose to be seen, sadly no beeaters or hoopoe which was wishful thinking i suppose!
