Nature Notes

August is an odd time of year for birdwatching in Normandy - with summer birds now migrating south and resident birds moulting their breeding colours. In terms of early autumn migration however, anything can show up, and on my last August visit way back in 2009 a Common Crane did exactly that. This elegant heron-like bird is more commonly found in marshy areas of Eastern Europe, but regularly one or two stop over in Normandy en route to their winter grounds in Spain.

Another migrant to see is the Hobby, a small grey falcon which hunts dragonflies. We see one or two in summertime, but one recent autumn we had a spectacular sight of five Hobbies hunting in our field. On our upcoming trip this week, I'll be keeping an eye on the skies for a rarity such as Honey Buzzard or Black Kite.

Asides from birds, it's a good time of year to see some of our elusive mammals. Up to 14 species have been seen, including Wild Boar, Mole and Beech Marten (the latter two in broad daylight), and young voles and shrews are an increasingly common sight. With plenty of dragonflies, butterflies and even the odd Smooth or Grass Snake about, there's still plenty to see in these last days of summer.