Carduelis carduelis – Like many small migratory passerine birds, I did not see many goldfinches this year in the south of France. It really is my fetish passerine, having rescued and hand raised a few when I was young! Although the cage remained opened they preferred to spend the night inside for safety and eat […]
Tag: France
Eurasian teal
Anas creacca – Pictures taken from a hide tent on the edge of this water dam where I live in the South of France.The afternoon light was limit that day, the reflection of a grey sky in the water gave quite a particular ambiance. These ducks got closer to me but regrettably stayed in a […]
Banded Darter
Sympetrum pedemontanum – A rare and very localized dragonfly in France but abundant where it breeds. Interesting to note that young male individuals have the pterostigmae white like the females whereas mature males have them red. J’avais déjà présenté les femelles récemment, mais vous en verrez d’autres plus tard avec une surprise pour clore sur […]
The European Wildboar
Sus scrofa Artiodactyla – Suidae In the South-West of France where I live, Wildboars reach rarely over 120 kg. In the East of Europe they can weigh up to 160 kg and in Turkey up to 400 kg; the latter are called Attila’s! Sexual maturity is achieved between the 8th and the 12th month of […]
Light buzzards’ colorations and migration – 03
Buteo buteo – Accipitriformes – Accipitriadae – This is the lightest buzzard I saw so far this winter. Easily recognizing individuals thanks to the plumage coloration of their breast and comparing them from one season to another has proven me that I have not seen again the birds from previous years, which implies that they […]
Local Common buzzards
Common buzzard – Buteo buteo Accipitriformes – Accipitridae This is the first publication out of 3 on these birds of prey. Here are 2 of the local buzzards inhabiting our property in the south of France and its surroundings. They have a dark streaky uniform plumage with white feathers lengthwise on the head and neck, […]
The Eurasian Blackcap
Sylvia atricapilla Passeriformes – Sylviidae This dullish bird does not come often to feeders but I see it once in a while when I go for strolls in the woods. Ce n’est pas un oiseau qui vient facilement à la mangeoire mais il m’arrive d’en croiser en promenade dans les sous-bois et c’est bien plus […]
Black Darter VS Selysiothemis nigra
Here are the two smallest black anisopterae that can be found in Europe. Selysiothemis nigra is totally absent on French territory contrary to the Black darter. Voici lesdeux petits anisoptères noirs que nous pouvons trouver en Europe. La Selysiothemis noir est totalement absente de France contrairement au Sympêtre noir. The Black Darter – Sympetrum danae […]