Goldieš, saw one here once a couple of years ago, probably about 80 km from the mountains
So lucky! I do like living in Normandy but we certainly donāt get some of these gorgeous (exotic?) birds shwn in the thread. Iām particularly taken with hoopoes too - not sure Iāve ever seen oneā¦
I have, just the one. 
Looks like a red kite to me. I lived in mid west Wales in the mid 80ās near the Hafod Estate where Red Kites were being bred. I believe some of these birds were introduced to England and Scotland in the early 90ās.
We see these (both black and red kites) every week over and around the house, particularly during haymaking, where the swoop down on their unsuspecting prey after the tractor has exposed them.
He is a red kite, tail is splayed as he was getting ready to dive at prey.
I think I have solved the mystery of finding a female blackbird in my kitchen, in my living room and in my upstairs studio, several times recently.
I have seen the blackbird eating, & taking away, cat croquettes which I have been leaving just outside my front door, which has a cat door without a flap. For hedgehogs and for any of my cats who may be hungry but canāt be bothered coming indoors.
This particular bird has been hopping around the small front garden recently despite there being a cat or two in very close proximity. I think my catsā old age, and the heat, have rendered them harmless to the blackbird, and the blackbird knows it.
All my windows are closed during the day, and the only windows open at night are in my bedroom. It can only have come through the cat flap. Not sure why - curiosity?
I moved cautiously around the kitchen one time so as not to frighten it while it too was walking cautiously around the kitchen, so that I could open the kitchen windowā¦.and away it went. On another occasion it was sitting on the newel post of the staircase in the living room, flew upstairs into my studio, not really panicked, and flew out the studio window once opened.
My local black birds are used to my presence, and of my cats, and follow me around whenever I get the lawn mower out. The real mystery is why is it coming indoors!
1 Like
Cooler perhaps and not frightened- my blackbirds donāt venture properly into the house but they are always under the auvents (Iām not calling them verandas since that conjures up a much glammer image)
If you want to encourage blackbirds into your garden, or help them to survive the hot dry weather, apart from the water that you put out, open the bottom of your compost bins and rake out a bit and leave it on the ground for a day or two. The birds will be happy to eat the insects grubs and worms. Blackbirds need food which is every increasing difficult find in hot dry spell. Water the compost a bit from time to time.
2 Likes
I walk onto the chemin towards my workshop every morning to collect SD cards from my workshop garden cameras, and invaribaly crunch on empty newly opened snail shells. I think my blackbirds are doing OK. But the croquettes are easier to find maybe and consume - this bird picks them up and flies away presumably to feed the offspring.
1 Like
I leave little mulch heaps all over my garden under bushes in the garden and at the base of trees, shrubs and walls etc for them, they do a brilliant job of raking and spreading it nicely. They love the compost bin and under the fig trees.
I set up my bird bath cameras about 3 years ago, and today I had a real surprise ā a handsome looking Eurasian Jay, for the very first time ā feeling very pleased!
The Jay is the 30th species of bird that has visited so far, as well as snails, lizards, a snake, field mice, shrews, rats, hedgehogs, and always the cats!
2 Likes
Collared doves seem to like sitting on top of the camera overlooking the birdbath, and one has swivelled the camera round a bit, revealing what looks like a male blackbird sitting on the fence but without a yellow beak or yellow rings around its eyes.
Have seen this black-plumaged bird numerous times wondering what it is. It makes blackbird chirrups so Iām fairly sure it is a blackbird.
But is itā¦?
Edit ā just found out what it could be ā āBlackbirds in Europe, outside of the UK, are believed not to develop their orange-yellow beak and eye-ring until the second year of their livesā.
3 Likes