Wild Pyrenees Diary July 2008+
I will maintain a regularly updated dairy of bird and wildlife watching in the magnificent Ariege Pyrenees, SW France. Follow the ever changing, sometimes extraordinary events as they happen....
Thursday 10th July 2008.
Walking above Brassac near Foix, on Peche Therme, we had a close-up encounter with an Egyptian vulture, which then soared with a Griffon. A little while later we saw a Golden Eagle.
Wednesday 13th August 2008.
While walking with my 3 dogs just adjacent to our garden I saw (again) a giant Roe Deer Stag (5 - 6 pointer). It was pursued (at a safe distance!) by my younger dog for some way. The movement and grace of such a magnificent animal was truly a wonderful sight. I hope to sometime in the future to be able to catch such moments on camera.....
Monday 18th August
Just down the road from our house I had a magnificent view of a pair of Rollers on the telegraph wires. This is the exact time of the month that a pair appeared last year. They were in the area for about a week.
Saturday 30th August
We watched a first year juvenile Golden Eagle soaring above the limestone crags of the Plantaurels, 20 minutes from home. Fantastic!
Monday 6th October
Near the Cathar chateaux Roquefixade, observed 2 Short-toed Eagles, Black Kites, a Griffon and a Golden Eagle, all in the space of a 3 hour walk.