Twice a 12 months, migratory birds fly over and sometimes cease in France as they make their lengthy journeys. We take a look at six species you may even see overhead or on land as they take a break.
Migratory birds observe established routes – for instance, coming from the north on their technique to hotter climates in Africa.
Among probably the most well-known to make a cease are:
The green-winged teal or sarcelle à ailes vertes
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This is a sort of small duck, with inexperienced and reddish-brown colouring on its head.
Males even have a large inexperienced eye patch, and a black-rimmed yellow patch on the again of their wings.
They are inclined to migrate at night time, and through the season, flocks of a whole bunch might be seen crossing the skies of France from the tip of February via to mid-March.
European pied flycatcher or gobemouche noir
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With a spherical monochrome physique, black legs and beak, they’re usually seen in deciduous forests and open undergrowth.
Despite their small measurement, these birds journey 1000’s of miles throughout their migration in August to spend winter south of the Sahara.
They feed on spiders and bugs together with caterpillars, beetles, and millipedes.
From March, they are often seen on their return north within the west of France, significantly at their routine websites within the Deux-Sèvres and Vendée departments.
Common crane or Grue cendrée
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These birds can measure as much as 1.3 metres in peak and have an enormous wingspan of as much as 2.3 metres.
They are simply distinguishable each by their measurement and by the crimson patch on the highest of their heads.
The frequent crane travels so far as 2,500 km throughout migration, from northern Europe to north Africa sometimes flying in a Y or V form.
In January, they are often noticed in lots of components of France, taking a break from their lengthy flight. You can monitor sightings here.
Common snipe or bécassine des marais
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This chook measures simply 25 cm in size, with a wingspan of 40 cm. It has a mottled brown coat; and light-weight stripes on its head.
It migrates to the temperate zones of Europe and Asia, and lives in moist meadows and reed beds, the place it makes use of its lengthy beak to probe the mud, and dig deep for meals.
From mid-February, it may be seen throughout France, albeit in restricted numbers, because it takes a break on its return to its nesting websites on the Eurasian steppe.
Great white egret, or grande aigrette
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This wading chook is present in Western Europe, Central Asia and Africa, and has a wingspan of as much as 1.7 metres.
It has a white coat and a yellow invoice (though through the breeding season that is darkish orange).
From the tip of February, the nice white egret returns to France, flying in teams of 30 or so. Some are recognized to nest within the wetlands of the Camargue (Occitanie), Dombes (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Sologne and Brenne (Centre-Val de Loire).
Bluethroat, or gorgebleue à miroir
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The bluethroat is a vibrant, finch-like chook, which may measure as much as 15 cm, with a wingspan of 23 cm.
As its identify suggests, it’s identifiable by its blue throat. Underneath it has black, white and crimson stripes.
Bluethroats fly as much as 1,000 km through the migration interval, and journey by night time to the Mediterranean coast or Spain. They can journey between 40 and 100 km a day.
Some of those birds spend their winter in France in areas alongside the Mediterranean crescent.
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