Another day on the other side!

Today The Joker, Marshman and myself had a day trip to the Pas De Calais hoping to see Black Woodpecker. We met at The Jokers at 05.20 and caught the 06.15 train to Calais. On arrival we drove straight to Crecy Forest arriving around 08.30. The forest alive with bird song, numerous Chiffchaffs and Nuthatches were singing and calling, along with double figures of Short-toed Treecreeper were joined by Great, Blue, Long-tailed, Marsh, Coal and Crested Tits, Goldcrests, Chaffinches and Bramblings were seen, as were Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a pair of Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpeckers were heard and several Common Buzzards soared over head but no sight or sound of Black Woodpecker. That didn't really matter as there was so much else to look at.

Late morning we left Crecy for a short stop at Sailly Braie, which was quiet as we were probably a few weeks to early but I'm sure we will be back later. Next stop Le Crotoy harbour which was rapidly filling as the tide came in, there we saw 56 Avocet, 30+ each of Ringed Plover and Dunlin, 100+ Redshank a Great Crested Grebes and a Little Grebe.

We moved to the Le Crotoy pools where we saw Several Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, a couple of Wigeon and our first Garganey of the year, best of all a 3 Sand Martins, 2 House Martins and a Swallow flew through together.

 A brief stop at Marquanterre gave us superb views of White Stork one of which circled over the car park, also 10+ Spoonbills of note.

Coming back along the motorway I was as usual asleep. The Marshman woke me with a shout of Osprey which was being mobbed by a Common Buzzard. Pity we couldn't stop on the motorway. A fitting end to great day out in great company (I wont mention the jokes)  and many thanks to the Marshman for doing the driving.