Val35
Well-known member
Decided to start this thread to keep a journal of my sightings in Corsica this spring, for myself but also hoping it's helpful or interesting for birders who intend to visit the island during spring migration 
I start a little late as migration is already well underway but better late than never !
Saturday, April 5th
With finally some good weather and lots of migrants reported from the migration watchpoint at the Dunes de Prunete, I hoped to find a few interesting birds during this weekend in Cap Corse.
Today, I would be birding at Macinaggio and be joined by two fellow birders.
I parked at the beach around 7am, my companions for the day living further than me from this location, they were only due to arrive one hour later so I started walking along the beach searching for migrants.
The first birds were White Wagtails and Meadow Pipits (with a flock of about 50 of the latter), a group of Hooded Crows rested on the small lighthouse at the end of the jetty.
The call of Yellow Wagtails on migration, the songs of Sardinian Warblers, Greenfinches and Blackbirds formed the soundscape of this early morning.
The walk along the beach produced 3 Northern Wheatears, 1 Common Redstart, a Hoopoe and two Bluethroats feeding in a puddle. A single Tree Pipit flew overhead, its distinct call giving away its presence and a Green Sandpiper flew from a damp meadow while Sedge Warbler sang hidden in the reeds.
Arriving at the end of the beach, I was delighted to see 8 White Storks (not a common bird in Corsica) arriving from the North and landing on a telecomunication tower. From the North also came a Grey Heron and a Great Cormorant.
As I turned back to walk the track that goes from the beach accross meadows and reaches a camping area, I picked up the Wren like call of a Moltoni's Warbler, the first of the 4-5 individuals of the morning.
I was then joined by my companions and an Hawfinch flew over us as a Jackdaw called in the distance (localized breeding species in Corsica, I suspect a pair is breeding near Macinaggio).
We headed towards an area where we could have better view of the wet meadows and reedbeds, hoping for waders and crakes but quickly stopped as we heard the distinctive rattle of a Savi's Warbler coming from an hedge. The bird remained hidden but it's only my second on the island !
No crakes or waders were found at the overlook but we had 2 more Bluethroats, 3 Whinchats and at least 2 Common Redstarts.
Continuing along the track to the beach of Tamarone, new species for the day were a Greater Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a single Crag Martin flying with 2 Barn Swallows.
At Tamarone, more Hoopoes, Wheatears and Whinchats welcomed us as a Marsh Harrier flew to the North. A single Black Redstart was hopping on the ground among a dozen Cirl Buntings and a couple of Serins.
About 20 meters away, in a patch of brambles, a warbler showed briefly...It was a Subalpine type but flew off too quickly to get good views. Luckily the bird was found again a few minutes later and turned out to be a nice male Eastern Subalpine Warbler, always a nice find !
As we headed back to the cars, a Scops Owl sang briefly in the broad daylight.
In the afternoon, I went for a non birding visit to some nearby villages and returned to the beach of Macinaggio for a short walk. The only birds of note were 3 Alpine Swifts among a flock of Barn Swallows and House Martins.
I start a little late as migration is already well underway but better late than never !
Saturday, April 5th
With finally some good weather and lots of migrants reported from the migration watchpoint at the Dunes de Prunete, I hoped to find a few interesting birds during this weekend in Cap Corse.
Today, I would be birding at Macinaggio and be joined by two fellow birders.
I parked at the beach around 7am, my companions for the day living further than me from this location, they were only due to arrive one hour later so I started walking along the beach searching for migrants.
The first birds were White Wagtails and Meadow Pipits (with a flock of about 50 of the latter), a group of Hooded Crows rested on the small lighthouse at the end of the jetty.
The call of Yellow Wagtails on migration, the songs of Sardinian Warblers, Greenfinches and Blackbirds formed the soundscape of this early morning.
The walk along the beach produced 3 Northern Wheatears, 1 Common Redstart, a Hoopoe and two Bluethroats feeding in a puddle. A single Tree Pipit flew overhead, its distinct call giving away its presence and a Green Sandpiper flew from a damp meadow while Sedge Warbler sang hidden in the reeds.
Arriving at the end of the beach, I was delighted to see 8 White Storks (not a common bird in Corsica) arriving from the North and landing on a telecomunication tower. From the North also came a Grey Heron and a Great Cormorant.
As I turned back to walk the track that goes from the beach accross meadows and reaches a camping area, I picked up the Wren like call of a Moltoni's Warbler, the first of the 4-5 individuals of the morning.
I was then joined by my companions and an Hawfinch flew over us as a Jackdaw called in the distance (localized breeding species in Corsica, I suspect a pair is breeding near Macinaggio).
We headed towards an area where we could have better view of the wet meadows and reedbeds, hoping for waders and crakes but quickly stopped as we heard the distinctive rattle of a Savi's Warbler coming from an hedge. The bird remained hidden but it's only my second on the island !
No crakes or waders were found at the overlook but we had 2 more Bluethroats, 3 Whinchats and at least 2 Common Redstarts.
Continuing along the track to the beach of Tamarone, new species for the day were a Greater Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a single Crag Martin flying with 2 Barn Swallows.
At Tamarone, more Hoopoes, Wheatears and Whinchats welcomed us as a Marsh Harrier flew to the North. A single Black Redstart was hopping on the ground among a dozen Cirl Buntings and a couple of Serins.
About 20 meters away, in a patch of brambles, a warbler showed briefly...It was a Subalpine type but flew off too quickly to get good views. Luckily the bird was found again a few minutes later and turned out to be a nice male Eastern Subalpine Warbler, always a nice find !
As we headed back to the cars, a Scops Owl sang briefly in the broad daylight.
In the afternoon, I went for a non birding visit to some nearby villages and returned to the beach of Macinaggio for a short walk. The only birds of note were 3 Alpine Swifts among a flock of Barn Swallows and House Martins.
