[stevem76]

Hi all,

I'm aware that there's a small number of Nutcracker and Tengmalm's Owl in the French Ardennes and was thinking about making this my first stop on a trip down to the Champagne Lakes in the next few days.

Does anyone know what my chances would be at this time of year and any good spots to try? I don't mind going on into Belgium if it's not too far.

Cheers,

Steve

[Jonathan Williams]

All i can suggest is get where to watch birds in northern france, think they're incredibly tough to get though.

Got a good black woodpecker site if you need that.

[stevem76]

Thanks Jonathan, I knew it was a bit of a long shot.

I've got WTWBI France, it doesn't mention Nutcracker in the region, only much further east or south; A Birdwatching Guide to France (Crozier, 2003) has some areas indicated but still pretty vague. I will go and explore for myself in the future! Belgium is better I've read.

Still had a good trip to Lac du Der and Foret D'Orient, will post a trip report in due course - I know how helpful I found people's reports! No probs with Black Woodpecker or Middle-spotted and the cranes were magnificent, but Grey-headed Woodpecker proved a bit more elusive...

Thanks,

Steve

[scary-canary]

Originally Posted by stevem76

Hi all,

I'm aware that there's a small number of Nutcracker and Tengmalm's Owl in the French Ardennes and was thinking about making this my first stop on a trip down to the Champagne Lakes in the next few days.

Does anyone know what my chances would be at this time of year and any good spots to try? I don't mind going on into Belgium if it's not too far.

Cheers,

Steve

I only have anecdotal eveidence, but i think it's a long way out of the way for virtually no chance of either bird. Sorry

[Jonathan Williams]

By the sounds of it that hits the nail right on the head, you would have to be amazingly lucky to encounter tengmalms, with probably a bit better chance of seeing nutcracker.

Very much looking forward to seeing your report.

Grey headed woody is fast becoming my bogie bird!! Seen 2 black woodys now and heard a few, they have some wierd calls, plenty of middle spots, but so far not even a sniff of grey headed. Going back to verdun again at easter though so maybe this time...