Normandy birding

[wellies101]

Not uk birding I know, but I'm off to Normandy in France on saturday for a week and wanted to know if anyone can recommend any good spots for birding over there? I'd particularly like to try and see black woodpecker (why not aim high!).

James

[Adam Cheeseman]

Hi James,

Yes, Black Woodpeckers are possible, they sound a bit like green woodpeckers and in flight at a distance are about crow-sized and can be mistaken for them if not familiar with them. They are not the easiest bird to sneak yp on though. Crested Tits and Short-toed Treecreepers are also goodies to look out for.

Here's a birder's experience Normandy
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=111352

Cheers,

Adam

[poschiavanus]

For Black Woodpeckers look for tree stumps which are absolutely hacked apart: somewhere () I have a picture of a spruce stump showing this.

When they are at work they are audible from long distances. In places where they are not too disturbed they may be found feeding in the same place for a couple of days. They often feed on nests of the Hercules Ant Camponotus herculeanus, a fascinating species in itself which has very long lived males.

Calls here : Swiss Vogelwarte.

[wellies101]

Hi guys

Thanks for the tips, fingers crossed for black woodpecker and crested tit then!

[diggleken]

Try the 'hâble d’Ault' on the Somme
and:
Birdwatching in Normandy - BirdForum
Learn the latin names.its a good communication helper for french birders in a hide to speak the same language!
Black kites, black redstart, shore lark and crested lark should be seen, much more common than over here.
Lots of others too.........
Good luck
Cheers
Ken
edit, sorry adam, might be on the same link.....