French trip

Just returned from a trip to North Eastern France, Lac Du Der. The lake is a man made lake, with a massive 77km shoreline. It is of international importance for migating common crane that over winter around the lake, as well as white tailed eagles, ospreys and waterfowl. Although quiet at present, and with a very limited time for birding, I still managed 66 species for the trip. Need to make another visit during September/October time to se the environs in their full glory. For those interested a more detailed reprt can be viewed at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=120531

Photographs attached depict the black redstart, an uncommon breeding bird in the UK but a regular sight on the continent. Another 2 photos of this bird are shown, one feeding a juvenile whilst the other sits under a tree. In fact the German name for this bird is house redstart. The bird on the water in a first year great crested grebe, still showing its juvenile striped neck plumage. The silhouette of the bird of prey is a black kite, again an uncommon visitor to these shores. However, 5 recently escaped from the aviary at London Zoo, so they may breed and become more common in the south east. Presently, no reports of black kites in the home counties are being treated as anything other than these escapees. The dragonfly is a ruddy darter and the small wading bird a common sandpiper. The other 2 snaps show views of the lake and its surrounds.