Wrynecks in France - Any Help Appreciated (1 Viewer)

[krustyjk]

Hello - this is my first post on here and I wonder if anyone can help.

I managed to book a couple of days to visit the northern half of France from 6-8th May. My main mission is to try to see wryneck as I have a mild obsession with the species considering its rather unique character and the sad disappearance of it from the UK.

Could anyone recommend a location anywhere across the northern half of France (including the middle band, so including the Limousin area) where I have a good chance of seeing them? I have looked online and read through part of the Where to Watch Birds in France book. Initially was going to look around Tours / the Loire valley (easy to get to) from Caen, but now wondering if the Burgundy area in the eastern part of the country is more reliable. Any help really appreciated.

Thanks - Justin

 

[foresttwitcher]

Try ebird - I hope this is a link to the Wryneck species map - zoom in to Northern France: Sign in

 

[krustyjk]

Try ebird - I hope this is a link to the Wryneck species map - zoom in to Northern France: Sign in

Thank you. I'll try this.

 

[01101001]

The French don't use eBird much (an order of magnitude less frequently than Ornitho). Here's a link to the French branch's website (a truly abysmal interface unless you're logged in--the species have no names, only numbers): Search result - www.faune-france.org. Have a look around the time you want to go there, as it only shows observations for the last fifteen days.

 

[krustyjk]

Thanks for this. I also found this site. Has heaps of sites across Europe - good info about the locations with maps. You can do a species search as well.

Birdingplaces |The free online guide to birding!

Where to watch birds? On Birdingplaces birders can find birdwatching sites very easily. With detailed descriptions, maps and the birds you can see there..

www.birdingplaces.eu

 

[01101001]

Thanks for this. I also found this site. Has heaps of sites across Europe - good info about the locations with maps. You can do a species search as well.

Birdingplaces |The free online guide to birding!

Where to watch birds? On Birdingplaces birders can find birdwatching sites very easily. With detailed descriptions, maps and the birds you can see there..

www.birdingplaces.eu

Pretty good for my region.

 

[SlowLowFlyingTurkey]

Thanks for this. I also found this site. Has heaps of sites across Europe - good info about the locations with maps. You can do a species search as well.

Birdingplaces |The free online guide to birding!

Where to watch birds? On Birdingplaces birders can find birdwatching sites very easily. With detailed descriptions, maps and the birds you can see there..

www.birdingplaces.eu

Thanks for that link. A good site that I've never seen before.

Looked up a few places I know well. The description for Minsmere is spot on, but the "Other birds you can see here" list is absurdly optimistic:
RSPB Minsmere | Birdingplaces.eu
More like every bird that's ever been seen at Minsmere.

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[Xenospiza]

Another source for Wryneck observations is here: Eurasian Wryneck - Jynx torquilla

 

[temmie]

Here you go:

Torcol fourmilier - Jynx torquilla | Biodiversité France

Biodiversité France - All observations from nature online

france.observation.org

With regards to the Limousin: you'll notice a clear observer's effect in the Brenne, but if you look close, you'll also see a cluster of points near Saint-Gilles. It indicates, based on google maps, that Wrynecks could be anywhere in the region as long as there is suitable habitat (lots of hedges, bushes, with pastures in between).
Study the sound and you cannot miss them beginning of May. Seeing them can be more tricky, but that's part of the challenge ;-)

 

[Torchepot]

We lived in Limousine for 12 years and I was out and about birding most days. Only ever encountered Wryneck twice and one of those was in my garden (both were migrants). Certainly an uncommon species within an hour or so to the East and North of Limoges. Maybe the Brenne might be a better option but I only visited twice and didn’t hear them. The call is quite distinctive and with patience should help to zero in on the bird. I associate wryneck more with Southern France and particularly Corsica where I had several close encounters. Some up to date local knowledge would really help improve your chances.