With a month of sunshine (in the main) we have begun to see a slow return of migratory species and an increase in butterflies also.

Birds:

Black Kite ( Milan noir) – first individual flew over the garden on 23 rd

Chiffchaffs (Pouillot véloce) – began singing again on 19 th

Cetti's Warbler (Buscarle de Cettti) also singing on the same day

Swallows (Hirondelle rustique) are chattering away outside the window as I type – first sighting on 24 th

House Martin (Hirondelle de fenêtre) – one seen hunting above a marshland on 26 th

Grey Heron (Héron cendré) – sitting in nest (eggs or chick?) in our local heronry on 22 nd (There was a sizeable chick standing upright on one of the nests on 14 th April last year)

Cirl Buntings (Bruant zizi) have been very vocal as have the Woodlarks (Allouette lulu) – possibly my favourite songster and Skylark (Allouette des champs)

Hoopoe (Huppe fasciée) – first of the year seen on 29 th

Sand Martin (Hirondelle de rivage) – huge flocks into the hundreds over the marshes on 29 th

Great White Egret (Grande Aigrette) – simply standing in a field along the road to Nivillac on 29 th

Tawny Owls (Chouette-hulotte) – calling from a tree at the end of the garden on night of 30 th

White Storks (Cygogne blanche) – are back in their breeding area, 30 mins drive from us. On 29 th we counted 11 individuals, with 7 of the nests re-occupied.

Marsh Harrier (Busard des roseaux) – several seen hunting on the plains near home and in the marshes.

Yellow Wagtail (Bergeronette printanière) – seen on 29 th in the marshes

Blackcap (Fauvette à tête noire) – singing in the garden on 30 th

Spoonbill (Spatule) – a flock of 9 flew over the marshes on 29 th

Butterflies on the wing this month:

Red Admiral (Vulcain)

Peacock (Paon du jour)

Small White (Piéride de la rave)

Large White (Piéride du chou)

Comma (Robert le diable)

Speckled Wood (Tircis)

Wall Brown (Megère)

Brimstone (Citron)

Small Copper (Cuivré commun) – first on 19 th

Orange Tip (Aurore printanière) – first on 28 th

Large Tortoishell (Grande tortue) – first of year seen on 23 rd just a few metres from home

Camberwell Beauty (Morio) – seen on 29 th in the marshes

An earlier first sighting of Green Lizard (Lézard vert) than last year came on Sunday 22 nd as I walked the dogs along the lane near home. This is a large, almost fluorescent green lizard, measuring over 24 cm, including the tail.

A large hedgehog (hérisson) was surprised by Ficelle (as usual!) in the garden on the evening of 23 rd

Bats have been flying since week 3.

Blackthorn (Epine noire) burst into bloom in week four.