1st April 2008

The wind has shifted to a warmer south easterly today (the icy cold Mistral of the past few weeks has abated!) although still fairly strong (35 km/hr).

At Mas d'Agon the resident group of 10 Glossy Ibis were feeding on the west side of the road along with around 50 Mute Swans and several Mallard. On the opposite side one of the elusive, timid Spoonbills was feeding on the lagoon. It has acquired the yellow breast and head feathers plus aigrettes ( head plumes) characteristic of breeding plumage and looks stunning. As it fed it was being followed by a Grey Heron presumably to take advantage of any fish disturbed by it's frenetic feeding action. After 30 minutes it flew off south presumably to the roosting site just over the reedbed. In addition to the Spoonbill half a dozen Snipe and 5 Curlew were sheltering from the wind.

On the section of exposed mud 45 Wood Sandpipers and 4 Black winged Stilts were probing for food. No sign of any other Sandpipers tonight or the Redshank/Spot R/Godwits seen recently. A number of Swallows/ House Martins present and at least 6 Swifts, having arrived in the past couple of days.

NB Whilst watching a Mallard serenely making its way along one of the canals adjacent to the road I saw a huge fish (probably bream) emerge vertically from the water right in front of it giving the duck quite a shock! It made a hasty detour then carried on its way, unperturbed.