Checking Out Our Area

One of several Black Redstarts around today

We took a morning walk around our area of garrigue, pine woods, gardens and vineyards.  There were still noticeable numbers of Common Redstarts, Black Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers and we also found a Common Whitethroat.  The highlight though was a Wryneck which perched on overhead wires but dropped as soon as I raised my camera. A single Red-rumped Swallow was still around.

Chalk Hill Blue

Insects were also notable today.  Lots of butterflies including Wall, Clouded Yellow, Pale Clouded Yellow, Great Banded Grayling and Chalk Hill Blue dominated.  There were also a lot of Hummingbird Hawk Moths and one which settled on the ground almost disappeared from view.  I have never see one doing that before.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth at rest

I took another walk this evening a found a Short-toed eagle and a Sparrowhawk passing high overhead.