The second week at the gite continued in the same vein. The visits by the Orioles increased throughout the week, and all those seen in the first week continued to show up, even the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Spotted Flycatcher also appeared over and in the gardens, and Little Egret, Song Thrush, Cuckoo and Blackcap in lanes and nearby fields. On Monday 7 July, we visited the Le Teich Reserve on Arcachon bay. A fantastic place that needed the full day to arrive at 10:00am opening time, and visit the twenty hides, plus viewing platforms and screens as well. A glorious day weather wise, and a count of 46 species for the reserve- most notable being White Stork, Great White Egret, Yellow Legged Gull, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little and Ringed Plovers, Common and Green Sandpipers, Curlew, Whimbrel, Kingfisher. At least a dozen Black Kites were continually circling above.
Our last game of golf at Marmande even provided great views of a Night Heron, and with Peregrine on the journey home the list for the fortnight reached 84, and a great time was had as well.
Further to posting Fri 27 June Golden Orioles. A very enjoyable first week of gite holiday near Marmande has 43 birds on the list, mostly from either in,or from, our garden. The Golden Orioles has visited us daily, some days returning very couple of hours to collect plums and flying off with them. Green Woodpeckers are here daily, probably for the insects attracted by the fallen fruit, or the fruit itself. Willow and Melodious Warblers, Cirl Bunting, Chiffchaff are present daily, and Grasshopper Warbler heard but as yet unseen. Buzzards, Black Kite, Swallow and Swift are overhead each day also. A visit for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker so far is a one off. Cattle Egrets, Crested Lark, Hoopoe, Purple Her on have been seen in nearby fields, lanes and lake. We hope next week,s visit to La Teich reserve near Archachon brings even more varieties. Tom Jones and Jim Caulfield
