Pagney 7/11/2026

     Very, very little at Pagney, a ringtail Hen Harrier was chased by Carrion Crows, a Goldcrest was seen, two Lapwings went by and a female Wigeon flew over in a small flock of Mallards.

     I decided to change spots and head up Le Moutherot - a hill nearby with vineyards and dry scrubby heath around the village - as good a place as any to hope for one of the Slender-billed Nutcrackers that have started to arrive in France. My optimism was not rewarded. There were two Cirl Buntings and a Woodlark though. 

    Above the tuilerie of Lantenne Vertière there was a bit more hope for something good, the fields there held at least ten Buzzards, 15 Red Kites, about 50 Skylarks, ~150 Linnets, at least 6 Meadow Pipits and at least seven each of Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. Nothing rarer was amongst them though. 

    The morning had started with a silent Water Rail at the water treatment plant of Burgille so I stopped at all the small plants in the villages on the way, none in Lavernay or Franey, nor any at the reedy pool in Noironte where the water level was the lowest I'd ever seen it. I ended the day at the water treatment plant of Pelousey where a very nice total of 21 Moorhens were seen with nine Teals and one Water Rail was heard.



    

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