France in Focus

We've had a few dribs and drabs going over the house during the last couple of weeks - first large group today, so no doubt more will be over soon.

I'm so lucky, I live on their flight path, and we have some nice thermals at the bottom of our garden, where they tend to circle for a while before gaining height and moving on.

How lovely to see Char

We had hardly any until Wednesday afternoon and they continued going over into the evening. This is the 2nd year flocks have gone over in the dark. Perhaps they were really cats.

Spring is on the way. They have been seen flying North over 24 and 16. Haven’t seen any here yet in 47 but maybe today?

2 squadrons in formation flying over Sud-Gironde yesterday - wonderful sight and sound

We've had several big "v"s - are they Skeens? - over us at the top of Yonne in the last few days. Its rolling hills here and it must cause thermals, they seem to circle and lift for ages, with barely a wing flap, clever bleeders!

Locals say its very early, hope that's a sign of a good summer to come.

As yet no reports of grues flying south apart from myself and Mad hearing some way back at the end of august.
Have just got back from a long weekend just north of Blaye, went to see a bird reserve and migrating birds, what a laugh.
Only saw three herons and some ducks but it was hissing down along with a gale.
Did see on tv3 aquitaine in the evening that because of climate change birds are not migrating as before.
As its a good area and we had a smashing hotel/food we will go back in the spring for another weekend break.

Last week in the Nièvre, several lakes around us, no zoomlens, only the camera of my smartphone:

@Doug We've had quite a few going over in the last week ( just ahead of the first brass monkey evening).
@RobertArthur great photo!

Caught these this afternoon over Montagne Saint Emilion