Jump to content
Complete France Forum

Migrating birds


auxadrets

Recommended Posts

Hi,

We live in the east of the Var, almost in the Alpes Maritimes. Every September we see flocks of birds migrating in a south-westerly direction. They fly throughout the day, several dozen at a time, calling to each other non-stop. They are so high that it's difficult to identify them. They are probably the size of a jay, have wedge-shaped tails, longish bodies and curved wings a bit more angular than those of a swift. I know that's a bit vague, but I was hoping that a knowledgeable twitcher out there may have some suggestions. Thank you. Angela
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you both. I haven't seen a single one today. I've had another look in my Barthel and Dougalis European Bird Guide and I too had wondered about Bee-eaters. The in-flight illustration is a good match for what I've been seeing. The Kite doesn't have enough matching points. Now all I have to do is wait for them to fly the other way in the Spring! Thanks again.

Angela
Link to comment
Share on other sites

it would be interesting to know what you were hearing. Bee Eaters are very distinctive when they are flying in a flock. If you go to the following link and listen to the 2nd song down it would give you a pretty good idea if it was a flock of Bee Eaters you saw.

http://www.wildechoes.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107:bee-eater&catid=57:meropidae-bee-eaters&Itemid=87

and this site has a load of information

http://www.xeno-canto.org/europe/XCspeciesprofiles.php?species_nr2=5990.00&pagenumber=&order=taxonomy&view=3

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. Brilliant!

On the first website the photo of the bee-eater in flight is exactly the profile I am seeing and the second song is spot on.

A small flock flew over this morning, much lower, making it easier to see their silhouette. On the second Website the first sound track (Spain) is what I'm hearing.

Angela
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...