Reserve Ornithologique Hable d'Ault
This coastal reserve, north of le Treport (along the D490), south of Cayeux sur Mer, comprises pools and marshes. The species seen here were typical of this kind of area. Our first birds were Northern Lapwing, Common Shelduck and a pair of Eurasian Reed-buntings. We soon added male and female Marsh Harrier and Grey Heron with Sedge Warblers chuntering from the nearby reeds.
As we progressed along the paths, avoiding the toads that often crossed our track, we saw 24 Mute Swans, House and Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common Kestrel, Sky Lark and Meadow Pipit. Closer to the sea were small mud-edged pools where we found Common Redshank, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers, a pair of Garganey and a few Common Pochard. Also here were Great Crested Grebe and Greater Ringed Plover.
Back near the carpark, where the reserve adjoins farmed fields, we added Grey Partridge, Yellow and White Wagtails and Yellowhammer, and an adult Little Egret flew overhead.