France - Day trip 10/06/09

We started birding near Bologne at 07:40 - just 3 1/2 hours after leaving Bedfordshire. First stop was a forest near the coast at Mont Saint Frieux. Our target bird was Black Woodpecker, which we heard calling during a downpour, but did not see. Brief views were had of Crested Tit, and Short-toed Treecreeper was heard.

We then moved inland to Romelaere, an area of marsh and lake near St. Omer. En-route, a flyover Honey Buzzard and Hen Harrier caused some excitement as did Serin in St Omer. At the marshes on the Romelaere reserve we found Great White Egret, Little Bittern and Golden Oriole. Good birds can be found in car parks. On this occasion a pair of Lesser Peckers were flitting around - our fourth specie of woodpecker on the trip.