Place d'Armes, Vitry-le-François
Mid-March 2010 saw a return to the Champagne region, this time with Dave Thomas, for a mixture of birding and photography. With the idea of a guide to the area in mind - giving the excuse to revisit this fabulous spot a few more times in different seasons - this trip gave chance to revisit some of the spots looked at in winter 2009 for photos and key birds. A trip report of last year's visit can be found here; no written report this year, as it was just a follow-up.
After the drive from Calais, we toured Lac du Der. The first spring migrants were around and other highlights were a very confiding Black Redstart at Presque 'Île de Champaubert (left) and a group of Tree Sparrows in a Hawthorn on the dyke at La Brèche.
After staying overnight at Au Bon Sejour in Vitry-le-François, and taking in a great little bar and pizzeria on the east side of Place d'Armes, we headed back to Der and then on to La Ferme aux Grues near Isson (left) where about 700 Common Cranes were on the fields.
There were lots of farm and woodland birds around at La Ferme, with Greenfinches (left), Goldfinches and Chaffinches, Brambling, Blackbird, House and Tree Sparrows and Great and Marsh Tits all constantly around, most visiting the feeders, and a Song Thrush sang non-stop for a couple of hours. Further away, a Skylark was in good voice, a pair of Jays provided colour and a Red Kite flew over.
Satiated of cranes, we headed off to Forêt d'Orient and Troyes.
Common Cranes come in to land at La Ferme aux Grues
(photo by David Thomas)
