Dave Burges
@orbvalleybirder.bsky.social
Lifelong Brit birder now retired and living in the Orb Valley, Hérault, France.
Cold & icy on the E side of the Caroux today. Fairly quiet but 4 Darties, 4 ravens, red kite, 2 griffons & male peregrine. A concerted effort for wallcreeper turned up a blue rock thrush instead, actually probably just as difficult to see here #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
January 11, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Cold & icy on the E side of the Caroux today. Fairly quiet but 4 Darties, 4 ravens, red kite, 2 griffons & male peregrine. A concerted effort for wallcreeper turned up a blue rock thrush instead, actually probably just as difficult to see here #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Sun but still bloomin´ cold on 2nd & 3rd! Top birds inc. likely 3rd local pr of golden eagles (inc display), a passing subadult & one of the original two pairs displaying. Plus 4 griffons, cracking overhead views of black vulture & 2+ citril finches #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
January 3, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Sun but still bloomin´ cold on 2nd & 3rd! Top birds inc. likely 3rd local pr of golden eagles (inc display), a passing subadult & one of the original two pairs displaying. Plus 4 griffons, cracking overhead views of black vulture & 2+ citril finches #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
My New Year's Day birding largely thwarted by low cloud & a biting Tramontane. That said, two-plus dippers, two kingfishers squabbling over a perch (to sit on, not the fish), one calling black woodpecker, and two drive-up-to Alpine accentors #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
January 1, 2026 at 4:35 PM
My New Year's Day birding largely thwarted by low cloud & a biting Tramontane. That said, two-plus dippers, two kingfishers squabbling over a perch (to sit on, not the fish), one calling black woodpecker, and two drive-up-to Alpine accentors #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A hike out to the Cap de Creus & rtn from Cadaqués. Possibly not the best time of year (and maybe y'day for a seawatch 🤔), but still serins, cirl bunts, Darties, black r'starts and 50+ Sardinian warblers! Best were 4 Thekla's larks plus 6 Thekla's/crested #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirderinCatalunya
December 29, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A hike out to the Cap de Creus & rtn from Cadaqués. Possibly not the best time of year (and maybe y'day for a seawatch 🤔), but still serins, cirl bunts, Darties, black r'starts and 50+ Sardinian warblers! Best were 4 Thekla's larks plus 6 Thekla's/crested #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirderinCatalunya
Another sunny Orb Valley Wednesday 🤔! Highlights inc. 6 red-legged partridges, 3 little & 1 great white egrets, 2 griffons, golden eagle, 2 peregrines, 11+ Sardinian warblers, 6+ cirl buntings & a low altitude roadside alpine accentor 😮. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
December 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Another sunny Orb Valley Wednesday 🤔! Highlights inc. 6 red-legged partridges, 3 little & 1 great white egrets, 2 griffons, golden eagle, 2 peregrines, 11+ Sardinian warblers, 6+ cirl buntings & a low altitude roadside alpine accentor 😮. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A sunny day after two wet ones on the Caroux today, but surprisingly few raptors. Just 1+ griffons, 4+ buzzards & a kestrel. But 7 linnets (quite rare here), 4 fieldfares and finally...good 'scope views of 8 citril finches 😎 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
December 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A sunny day after two wet ones on the Caroux today, but surprisingly few raptors. Just 1+ griffons, 4+ buzzards & a kestrel. But 7 linnets (quite rare here), 4 fieldfares and finally...good 'scope views of 8 citril finches 😎 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Much better weather on the Montagne d'Aret today 😎! Highlights inc. cresties, Darties, 7 griffons (& very distant probable black vulture), 2 heard-only black woodpeckers, 25 Alpine accentors & ca.30 very flighty white-winged snowfinches #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
December 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Much better weather on the Montagne d'Aret today 😎! Highlights inc. cresties, Darties, 7 griffons (& very distant probable black vulture), 2 heard-only black woodpeckers, 25 Alpine accentors & ca.30 very flighty white-winged snowfinches #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Birding was a slog in the fog on the Caroux today. Really not raptor weather - but marsh, l-t & crested tits, brambling, Dartford warbler, 6+ redwings, a flyover Alpine accentor & 4+ fieldfares were the highlights. The latter a pretty good bird here #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
December 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Birding was a slog in the fog on the Caroux today. Really not raptor weather - but marsh, l-t & crested tits, brambling, Dartford warbler, 6+ redwings, a flyover Alpine accentor & 4+ fieldfares were the highlights. The latter a pretty good bird here #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Luckily I caught a good weather-window earlier, and stayed below the looming cloud and advancing rain to the NW. Mostly quiet, but 8+ redwings are good here, and finally, my first wallcreeper of the autumn/winter 👍 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
November 23, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Luckily I caught a good weather-window earlier, and stayed below the looming cloud and advancing rain to the NW. Mostly quiet, but 8+ redwings are good here, and finally, my first wallcreeper of the autumn/winter 👍 #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
This male kestrel just beyond our garden, trying to keep out of the increasingly cold Tramontane blowing yesterday #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
November 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
This male kestrel just beyond our garden, trying to keep out of the increasingly cold Tramontane blowing yesterday #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A cloudy start & gusting 60kph Tramontane t'day on the Montagne d'Aret. But crossbill, 1+ Alpine accentor, r/t hen harrier, displaying golden eagle, 10 griffons & black vulture. Another fleeting glimpse of ca.30 "citril finches" - still v. elusive! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
November 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A cloudy start & gusting 60kph Tramontane t'day on the Montagne d'Aret. But crossbill, 1+ Alpine accentor, r/t hen harrier, displaying golden eagle, 10 griffons & black vulture. Another fleeting glimpse of ca.30 "citril finches" - still v. elusive! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A glorious day on the Montagne d'Aret today, with 2 linnets (by no means regular here), 2 common crossbills, 20++ ravens, 10++ griffons, ringtail hen harrier, 6+ Alpine accentors and a flypast white-winged snowfinch #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
A glorious day on the Montagne d'Aret today, with 2 linnets (by no means regular here), 2 common crossbills, 20++ ravens, 10++ griffons, ringtail hen harrier, 6+ Alpine accentors and a flypast white-winged snowfinch #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Nice birding from the balcony today inc. 4 crag martins, 2+ peregrines, red kite, 7 sparrowhawks, 5 buzzards, 1 sub-adult golden eagle, 8 griffon & 1 black vultures and 8 distant common cranes south - these after 400+ south over Beziers yesterday pm #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
November 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Nice birding from the balcony today inc. 4 crag martins, 2+ peregrines, red kite, 7 sparrowhawks, 5 buzzards, 1 sub-adult golden eagle, 8 griffon & 1 black vultures and 8 distant common cranes south - these after 400+ south over Beziers yesterday pm #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Good day on the east side of the Caroux y'day inc siskins, brambling, woodlarks, Sardinian & D'ford w'blers, crag martins, ring ouzels, black woodpecker, 21 griffons, peregrine, golden eagle & three common cranes flying E to W along the Orb Valley #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
October 26, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Good day on the east side of the Caroux y'day inc siskins, brambling, woodlarks, Sardinian & D'ford w'blers, crag martins, ring ouzels, black woodpecker, 21 griffons, peregrine, golden eagle & three common cranes flying E to W along the Orb Valley #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A lot of action on the Espinouse y'day (17th) - 1+ each of linnet & brambling, 200++ chaffinches, 3+ ring ouzels, 320+ woodpigeons, 2 red kites, sub-ad golden eagle, first merlin of the autumn & at least two - but maybe four - black vultures. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
October 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
A lot of action on the Espinouse y'day (17th) - 1+ each of linnet & brambling, 200++ chaffinches, 3+ ring ouzels, 320+ woodpigeons, 2 red kites, sub-ad golden eagle, first merlin of the autumn & at least two - but maybe four - black vultures. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Top birding on top today with first 6 siskins & a brambling, crossbill, lots of meadow pipits & chaffinches, 17+ black redstarts, 2 woodlarks, 12+ ring ouzels, black woodpecker, ad m peregrine, 1-2 hen harriers and the local pair of golden eagles #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
October 15, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Top birding on top today with first 6 siskins & a brambling, crossbill, lots of meadow pipits & chaffinches, 17+ black redstarts, 2 woodlarks, 12+ ring ouzels, black woodpecker, ad m peregrine, 1-2 hen harriers and the local pair of golden eagles #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Did eBird October Big Day y'day in/on Orb Valley & Caroux/Espinouse. Got 60 spp. - pretty good for an area with no substantial water bodies. H'lights inc dipper, bl w'pecker, ring ouzel, xbills & STEs. 65 spp. next year then?!? #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway #OctoberBigDay2025
October 12, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Did eBird October Big Day y'day in/on Orb Valley & Caroux/Espinouse. Got 60 spp. - pretty good for an area with no substantial water bodies. H'lights inc dipper, bl w'pecker, ring ouzel, xbills & STEs. 65 spp. next year then?!? #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway #OctoberBigDay2025
Lots of passerine passage on the Espinouse with minima inc. 1 crossbill, 1 tree & 62+ meadow pipits, 1 grey wag, 8 wheatears, 6 stonechats, 1 common & 17+ black redstarts, 2 woodlarks, 14+ skylarks, 1 song thrush, 2 blackbirds and 19+ ring ouzels #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
October 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Lots of passerine passage on the Espinouse with minima inc. 1 crossbill, 1 tree & 62+ meadow pipits, 1 grey wag, 8 wheatears, 6 stonechats, 1 common & 17+ black redstarts, 2 woodlarks, 14+ skylarks, 1 song thrush, 2 blackbirds and 19+ ring ouzels #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A quiet start on the Caroux y'day with small numbers of stonechats, woodlarks, skylarks, Dartford warblers, black & common redstarts. But it picked up at the end with one each of marsh harrier & golden eagle and two ring ouzels. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
October 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
A quiet start on the Caroux y'day with small numbers of stonechats, woodlarks, skylarks, Dartford warblers, black & common redstarts. But it picked up at the end with one each of marsh harrier & golden eagle and two ring ouzels. #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Excellent birding y'day above the Gorges de Colombieres with h'lights inc. Dartford & Sardinian warblers, 4 wheatears, 5 black redstarts, yellow wagtail, hobby, one each of marsh & hen harriers, 2 peregrines, osprey, 26 griffon & 2 black vultures #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 30, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Excellent birding y'day above the Gorges de Colombieres with h'lights inc. Dartford & Sardinian warblers, 4 wheatears, 5 black redstarts, yellow wagtail, hobby, one each of marsh & hen harriers, 2 peregrines, osprey, 26 griffon & 2 black vultures #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Nice passerine migration on the Montagne d'Aret - 2 linnets, 5 tree & 9 meadow pipits, 4 yellow wags, 6 w'ears, 3 stonechats & 3 whinchats, 5 black r'starts, and 5 w'larks. Bonus birds 2 r-l partridge, 3 black w'peckers & a stock dove - site tick! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Nice passerine migration on the Montagne d'Aret - 2 linnets, 5 tree & 9 meadow pipits, 4 yellow wags, 6 w'ears, 3 stonechats & 3 whinchats, 5 black r'starts, and 5 w'larks. Bonus birds 2 r-l partridge, 3 black w'peckers & a stock dove - site tick! #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
A superb autumn day on Gioulet in the Espinouse. Highlights inc. 3 tree pipits, 3+ wheatears, redstart, 2 Darties, 1+ woodlarks, red kite, 12 sparrowhawks, 35 ravens, 9 griffon and 2 black vultures #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A superb autumn day on Gioulet in the Espinouse. Highlights inc. 3 tree pipits, 3+ wheatears, redstart, 2 Darties, 1+ woodlarks, red kite, 12 sparrowhawks, 35 ravens, 9 griffon and 2 black vultures #birds #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
The weather was perhaps more exciting than the birds on Gioulet yesterday, but best spots inc. 6 stonechats, 1 Dartford warbler, 8 sparrowhawks & 7 short-toed eagles all SW, and a female/immature hen harrier - my first of the autumn. #bird #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 20, 2025 at 10:04 AM
The weather was perhaps more exciting than the birds on Gioulet yesterday, but best spots inc. 6 stonechats, 1 Dartford warbler, 8 sparrowhawks & 7 short-toed eagles all SW, and a female/immature hen harrier - my first of the autumn. #bird #birding #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
Another search for passage dotterel on the Espinouse y'day drew another blank. But did find yellowhammer, 5 tree pipits, 4 wheatears, redstart, 2 whinchats, 2 pied flycatchers, 5 short-toed eagles, marsh harrier, hobby, peregrine & 8 red kites. #birds #birdwatching #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway
September 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Another search for passage dotterel on the Espinouse y'day drew another blank. But did find yellowhammer, 5 tree pipits, 4 wheatears, redstart, 2 whinchats, 2 pied flycatchers, 5 short-toed eagles, marsh harrier, hobby, peregrine & 8 red kites. #birds #birdwatching #OrbValleyBirding #orbvalleyflyway