Another Tuscan afternoon (1 Viewer)

We had been for a drive around our local patch in the Val d'Orcia yesterday and seen absolutely nothing, zero. :C

We figured we'd give it another try today, since G had been out early this morning and had seen definite signs of new arrivals (Melodious Warbler and Rollers among others). A good omen was undoubtedly a Great Spotted Woodpecker as we were leaving town.

Then we started off with 3 Short-toed Eagles soaring and calling just above us, while a Buzzard, a Black Kite, a Honey Buzzard and a Cattle Heron (may seem odd given the hilly area, but they nest not too far away) flew past. All around we could hear Cuckoos, Whitethroats, Golden Orioles and a Quail or two. A bit further along the same road a Grey Heron flew by.

We spent the rest of the afternoon going up and down the same two roads and we weren't disappointed, totalling a magnificent Roller, a Marsh Harrier, a male Montagu's Harrier, at least 9 Red-footed Falcons, two pairs of Turtle Doves (always nice to see), Bee-eaters, Crested Larks and Skylarks, plus the usual endless Corn Buntings and a Great Reed Warbler heard singing from a small reservoir.

When we got back home, a Hoopoe flew off behind our garage.

A fantastic afternoon!

Indeed a fantastic afternoon.

I'm reading this as hail drives down from a grey sky, and the temperature is more like March than May.

Here it's hotter than it should be, and drier, but rain and cold are forecast for the weekend and for all of next week I guess not much birding will be done over the next 10 days or so...