Birding heaven?
Posted 20-06-11 at 05:52 AM by Pearlamour
Have just got back from the holiday that I have always wanted to take. My wife found a small advert in the RSPB magazine and said that it looked interesting. The holiday was for a fully guided week in southern france.
We were picked up at the airport and for the next week we had nothing to worry about. Our host Andrew asked what birds we were hoping to see. I said 'vultures and bee eaters maybe', and he said, 'no worries'!
He took us to so many places that we would never have found or known about. We went from high mountains to gorges, to a stony-sandy plain called 'Le Crau' where we watched stone curlew and a colony of lesser kestrels. We also went to the Camargue....wonderful.
He took us to some places that he keeps very secret and we were able to watch golden eagle chicks. Andrew has studied golden eagles for many years and spends a lot of time just watching likely nest sites. His knowledge is extraordinary. He takes the welfare of the eagles so seriously, if someone walks by, he ask's everyone to turn their scopes to another direction, so as not to give away the eagles location.
I had no idea that beavers were a natural occurence in france, well he took us to a local 'stream' and there they were, turned up on cue!
The holiday was fully catered, 3 meals a day, proper picnic lunches with wine and fresh coffee and an array of cheeses. Accomodation was in a self built modern (but looked as old as the medieval village) gite, in Saint Jalle.
His wife Ruth was an wonderful hostess and fantastic cook.
So what was the result of our birding....during the week I saw 37 birds that were new to me. From Rollers, Ortalan buntings, all the larks, all the Herons, all the Eagles(inc Bonellis-Short toed-),all the Vultures....too many to list, but I will if pushed!
I am now back down to earth with loads of memories. We took 300 euros with us, and bought home.....300 euros. Andrew would not even let us pay for roadside fresh fruit.
So I bet you are wondering what the holiday cost, well take a look at the ' Wildlife Provencale' website and I think you will appreciate that we have just had a bargain.
Andrew and Ruth are English, having lived in France many years, absolutely brilliant hosts.
I want to spread the word about a holiday that gives birding people (up to 8 at a time or as few as 2 people)a great time.
Usual disclaimer.....I am in no way connected, just a happy customer.
We were picked up at the airport and for the next week we had nothing to worry about. Our host Andrew asked what birds we were hoping to see. I said 'vultures and bee eaters maybe', and he said, 'no worries'!
He took us to so many places that we would never have found or known about. We went from high mountains to gorges, to a stony-sandy plain called 'Le Crau' where we watched stone curlew and a colony of lesser kestrels. We also went to the Camargue....wonderful.
He took us to some places that he keeps very secret and we were able to watch golden eagle chicks. Andrew has studied golden eagles for many years and spends a lot of time just watching likely nest sites. His knowledge is extraordinary. He takes the welfare of the eagles so seriously, if someone walks by, he ask's everyone to turn their scopes to another direction, so as not to give away the eagles location.
I had no idea that beavers were a natural occurence in france, well he took us to a local 'stream' and there they were, turned up on cue!
The holiday was fully catered, 3 meals a day, proper picnic lunches with wine and fresh coffee and an array of cheeses. Accomodation was in a self built modern (but looked as old as the medieval village) gite, in Saint Jalle.
His wife Ruth was an wonderful hostess and fantastic cook.
So what was the result of our birding....during the week I saw 37 birds that were new to me. From Rollers, Ortalan buntings, all the larks, all the Herons, all the Eagles(inc Bonellis-Short toed-),all the Vultures....too many to list, but I will if pushed!
I am now back down to earth with loads of memories. We took 300 euros with us, and bought home.....300 euros. Andrew would not even let us pay for roadside fresh fruit.
So I bet you are wondering what the holiday cost, well take a look at the ' Wildlife Provencale' website and I think you will appreciate that we have just had a bargain.
Andrew and Ruth are English, having lived in France many years, absolutely brilliant hosts.
I want to spread the word about a holiday that gives birding people (up to 8 at a time or as few as 2 people)a great time.
Usual disclaimer.....I am in no way connected, just a happy customer.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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Hi Norman,
That sounds absolutely brilliant. Glad you (clearly) enjoyed it and what great sounding hosts you had.
I shall definitely look them up!
Oh, and the birds sounded great too!Posted 03-07-11 at 11:15 PM by alanjns
