Another search for passage dotterel on the Espinouse y'day drew another blank. But did find yellowhammer, 5 tree pipits, 4 wheatears, redstart, 2 whinchats, 2 pied flycatchers, 5 short-toed eagles, marsh harrier, hobby, peregrine & 8 red kites. #birds #birdwatching #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Another search for passage dotterel on the Espinouse y'day drew another blank. But did find yellowhammer, 5 tree pipits, 4 wheatears, redstart, 2 whinchats, 2 pied flycatchers, 5 short-toed eagles, marsh harrier, hobby, peregrine & 8 red kites. #birds #birdwatching #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
After a - ahem - "mishap on the mountain" last w/end, a good day of balcony birding in the Orb Valley. Tots inc 39+ kestrels, 32+ s'hawks, 7 buzzards, 6 marsh harriers, 16 red kites, 7 griffon & 1 black vultures, 10 STEs, 1 hobby & 3 red-foots! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 24, 2026 at 6:48 PM
After a - ahem - "mishap on the mountain" last w/end, a good day of balcony birding in the Orb Valley. Tots inc 39+ kestrels, 32+ s'hawks, 7 buzzards, 6 marsh harriers, 16 red kites, 7 griffon & 1 black vultures, 10 STEs, 1 hobby & 3 red-foots! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Nice in the Orb Valley today...three griffons, 9 red kites E, one to two peregrines, a male goshawk and a black vulture #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
February 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Nice in the Orb Valley today...three griffons, 9 red kites E, one to two peregrines, a male goshawk and a black vulture #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
This rather splendid male golden oriole from the balcony yesterday evening #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
May 8, 2026 at 6:55 AM
This rather splendid male golden oriole from the balcony yesterday evening #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
It's only taken me 7 years to find this viewpoint, within sight of our house too 🙄. Quiet today bar 6+ STEs west & a hobby/red-foot that got away. With the Tramontane blowing all the HBs (1,100+!) were further east 😮 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
August 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
It's only taken me 7 years to find this viewpoint, within sight of our house too 🙄. Quiet today bar 6+ STEs west & a hobby/red-foot that got away. With the Tramontane blowing all the HBs (1,100+!) were further east 😮 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A 20-nightingale run this morning, plus common & black redstarts, firecrests, Western Bonelli's & Orphean warblers, hoopoes & grey wagtail #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
April 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
A 20-nightingale run this morning, plus common & black redstarts, firecrests, Western Bonelli's & Orphean warblers, hoopoes & grey wagtail #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Hurrah! Adult male blue rock thrush feeding two fledged young on the Caroux today 😎! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
June 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Hurrah! Adult male blue rock thrush feeding two fledged young on the Caroux today 😎! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
This male kestrel just beyond our garden, trying to keep out of the increasingly cold Tramontane blowing yesterday #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
November 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
This male kestrel just beyond our garden, trying to keep out of the increasingly cold Tramontane blowing yesterday #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A rather grey day's birding just E of the Caroux (Hérault) with just one each of the more interesting spp. - Dartford warbler, fieldfare, hawfinch, hen harrier (my first in 2025) & golden eagle #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
January 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A rather grey day's birding just E of the Caroux (Hérault) with just one each of the more interesting spp. - Dartford warbler, fieldfare, hawfinch, hen harrier (my first in 2025) & golden eagle #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A good day on the Espinouse (17th). Best birds inc. yellowhammer, crossbill, meadow pipits, skylarks, woodlark, stonechats, marsh & crested tits, black woodpecker, 2 red kites, 7+ sparrowhawks, 8+ short-toed & 2 golden eagles and a female goshawk #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
March 18, 2026 at 6:40 PM
A good day on the Espinouse (17th). Best birds inc. yellowhammer, crossbill, meadow pipits, skylarks, woodlark, stonechats, marsh & crested tits, black woodpecker, 2 red kites, 7+ sparrowhawks, 8+ short-toed & 2 golden eagles and a female goshawk #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Christmas Day birding in the Orb Valley turned up little egret, cirl bunting, dipper, lesser spotted woodpecker, 4 griffons & a distant black vulture #birds #OrbValleyBirding , #orbvalleyflyway
December 25, 2024 at 7:50 PM
Christmas Day birding in the Orb Valley turned up little egret, cirl bunting, dipper, lesser spotted woodpecker, 4 griffons & a distant black vulture #birds #OrbValleyBirding , #orbvalleyflyway
Another cracking day on the Espinouse with constantly changing light & views south to the Pyrenees. Highlights inc brambling, cresties, two black woodpeckers, peregrine & this golden eagle whilst I had my espresso & pain au chocolat #birds #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
January 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Another cracking day on the Espinouse with constantly changing light & views south to the Pyrenees. Highlights inc brambling, cresties, two black woodpeckers, peregrine & this golden eagle whilst I had my espresso & pain au chocolat #birds #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Cold & icy on the E side of the Caroux today. Fairly quiet but 4 Darties, 4 ravens, red kite, 2 griffons & male peregrine. A concerted effort for wallcreeper turned up a blue rock thrush instead, actually probably just as difficult to see here #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
January 11, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Cold & icy on the E side of the Caroux today. Fairly quiet but 4 Darties, 4 ravens, red kite, 2 griffons & male peregrine. A concerted effort for wallcreeper turned up a blue rock thrush instead, actually probably just as difficult to see here #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Much better weather on the Montagne d'Aret today 😎! Highlights inc. cresties, Darties, 7 griffons (& very distant probable black vulture), 2 heard-only black woodpeckers, 25 Alpine accentors & ca.30 very flighty white-winged snowfinches #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
December 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Much better weather on the Montagne d'Aret today 😎! Highlights inc. cresties, Darties, 7 griffons (& very distant probable black vulture), 2 heard-only black woodpeckers, 25 Alpine accentors & ca.30 very flighty white-winged snowfinches #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Another cracking day (6th) on the Espinouse... skylarks, woodlarks, cuckoos, my first tree pipits, two red kites, five short-toed eagles & seven griffon vultures. But top of the pops were a single ring ouzel and a pair of rock buntings #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
April 7, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Another cracking day (6th) on the Espinouse... skylarks, woodlarks, cuckoos, my first tree pipits, two red kites, five short-toed eagles & seven griffon vultures. But top of the pops were a single ring ouzel and a pair of rock buntings #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Nice passerine migration on the Montagne d'Aret - 2 linnets, 5 tree & 9 meadow pipits, 4 yellow wags, 6 w'ears, 3 stonechats & 3 whinchats, 5 black r'starts, and 5 w'larks. Bonus birds 2 r-l partridge, 3 black w'peckers & a stock dove - site tick! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Nice passerine migration on the Montagne d'Aret - 2 linnets, 5 tree & 9 meadow pipits, 4 yellow wags, 6 w'ears, 3 stonechats & 3 whinchats, 5 black r'starts, and 5 w'larks. Bonus birds 2 r-l partridge, 3 black w'peckers & a stock dove - site tick! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
For a few minutes today, the airspace over these hills held a lesser/greater/hybrid spotted eagle. Two other people saw it on its journey north east, but none of us had conclusive views. Still, just goes to show, eh? #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
March 23, 2025 at 7:19 PM
For a few minutes today, the airspace over these hills held a lesser/greater/hybrid spotted eagle. Two other people saw it on its journey north east, but none of us had conclusive views. Still, just goes to show, eh? #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Definitely springy on the Espinouse/in the Orb Valley today. Singing skylarks, woodlarks & mistle thrushes. Plus black woodpecker, ca.12 Alpine accentors, buzzards, ravens, sparrowhawk, two peregrines and golden eagle #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
February 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Definitely springy on the Espinouse/in the Orb Valley today. Singing skylarks, woodlarks & mistle thrushes. Plus black woodpecker, ca.12 Alpine accentors, buzzards, ravens, sparrowhawk, two peregrines and golden eagle #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A good morning on the Caroux today. Male rock bunting (site 1st for me), 49+ black kites leaving their overnight roost, red kite, 3 griffons, pale booted eagle and pale Eleonora's falcon 😎 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
August 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A good morning on the Caroux today. Male rock bunting (site 1st for me), 49+ black kites leaving their overnight roost, red kite, 3 griffons, pale booted eagle and pale Eleonora's falcon 😎 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A sparkling day on the Espinouse. Darties, skylarks, woodlarks, dunnocks (!), 2+ cuckoos, 3 black woodpeckers, short-toed (4) booted & golden eagles, 7 Alpine swifts NE #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
April 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
A sparkling day on the Espinouse. Darties, skylarks, woodlarks, dunnocks (!), 2+ cuckoos, 3 black woodpeckers, short-toed (4) booted & golden eagles, 7 Alpine swifts NE #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A potter on one of my favourite mountains locally today was fairly light on birds, except for a distant adult female goshawk & a spectacularly close adult golden eagle #birds #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
December 18, 2024 at 6:47 PM
A potter on one of my favourite mountains locally today was fairly light on birds, except for a distant adult female goshawk & a spectacularly close adult golden eagle #birds #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A sunny day after two wet ones on the Caroux today, but surprisingly few raptors. Just 1+ griffons, 4+ buzzards & a kestrel. But 7 linnets (quite rare here), 4 fieldfares and finally...good 'scope views of 8 citril finches 😎 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
December 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A sunny day after two wet ones on the Caroux today, but surprisingly few raptors. Just 1+ griffons, 4+ buzzards & a kestrel. But 7 linnets (quite rare here), 4 fieldfares and finally...good 'scope views of 8 citril finches 😎 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
After five days of cloud & rain, something like Spring with 4 sparrowhawks, 30+ buzzards (many heading E), 8 red kites E, 24+ griffons, 2 peregrines & a black vulture. Much better 😉. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
February 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
After five days of cloud & rain, something like Spring with 4 sparrowhawks, 30+ buzzards (many heading E), 8 red kites E, 24+ griffons, 2 peregrines & a black vulture. Much better 😉. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A short walk around the village (& quite a lot of time staring at the sky 😉) today was very good for raptors, inc. sparrowhawks, buzzards, 1 peregrine, 3 griffons, 3 black vultures and a golden eagle #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
January 15, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A short walk around the village (& quite a lot of time staring at the sky 😉) today was very good for raptors, inc. sparrowhawks, buzzards, 1 peregrine, 3 griffons, 3 black vultures and a golden eagle #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Hotter still today on the Caroux & hazy, but still some visible migration. 1st pied flycatcher of the autumn, a site first r-b shrike, griffons, STE, red kite, 3 HBs (inc. pictured), & the cracking female pale phase Eleonora's falcon still present #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
August 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Hotter still today on the Caroux & hazy, but still some visible migration. 1st pied flycatcher of the autumn, a site first r-b shrike, griffons, STE, red kite, 3 HBs (inc. pictured), & the cracking female pale phase Eleonora's falcon still present #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway