Wednesday 21 September 2011

Another Coastal Excursion


We decided to go the coast again today but this time head south from Narbonne.  On the way to Narbonne we had a good start when a Red Kite flew across the road.



Red Kite

We moved quickly down to Port Leucate and checked the lagoon edges for waders.  We were not disappointed and found several small flocks.  They were mainly Kentish and Ringed Plovers but there were also 2 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers and a Sanderling.



Common Sandpiper

After a splendid seafood lunch at Franqui we explored first the beach at La Palme but apart from 5 Curlews there was nothing much else.  We then concentrated at Peyriac de Mer further north.  Here there were at least 500 Greater Flamingos and happily quite a few young.  A huge flock of the same number of Coots was also present on the lagoons.  Great White Egrets were much in evidence with 18 feeding together and a single Sparrowhawk flew over.



Little Egret

Up the road at Bages there were more Greater Flamingos and at least 20 Little Egrets.  Five Black-winged Stilts rested in the hot sun but a Greenshank was feeding feverishly on the fringes of a salt lagoon.

A disappointing day without any of the scarce gulls (Slender-billed and or Audouin's) which I had hoped for.

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