Mel B Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 When on holiday in France recently, we were at the top of the Col du Tourmalet, which is where the Tour de France goes up and down the mountain (there's statue of a cyclist on top). Whilst snapping away and admiring the view, a family of large 'birds' flew by, one by one ... a total of 8!!! It was an absolutely marvelous sight to see them swooping around the tops and we couldn't believe that we'd seen 8 of them! Anyway, they came round a second time and I had my camera ready and managed to get a few shots of them as they wizzed past. But does anyone know what they are? They must have been at least 5ft across from wing tip to wing tip, but were so graceful ... we felt very very priviledged to have been in the right place at the right time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Hi Mel Not sure, but IMO they might be Lammergeiers. (Based on the stripe from the beak, through the eye) Member of the Vulture family. Often referred to as the "bonebreakers" as they drop the bones on to rock so they can get at the marrow. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Bearded_Vulture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbol Owner Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Hi,Mel, I'm no expert either, but I would hazard a guess that your excellent photos are of a Griffon Vulture -- to quote my Colllins Guide to birds of Britain & Europe:- "Distinguished from other vultures by flight-silhouette: very long, broad wings with widely spread primaries forming rounded ends and a very short, dark, squared tail; under sides of wings have pale bars ......;small head is well sunk back into ruff. Sandy plumage contrasts with dark wing and tail feathers. Head and neck covered with white down" "Sociable when roosting & feeding" Finally, -- "Ranges over all types of country, (map shows its main habitat area as in central & southern France) but normal habitat is mountainous" Lucky old you! I know that vultures have a bad reputation because they eat carrion, but they are spectacular birds, particularly in flight -- think of their relative, the South American condor. Now it only needs some trained ornithologist (or an enthusiastic 'twitcher') to tell me I'm on the wrong track! Sorry Flicka, but Mel's pics don't quite 'add up' to a Lammergeier to me, nice try! Colin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camper69 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Griffon Vulture it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 You could well be right, Colin From Wikipedia:- Griffon Vultures have been re-introduced successfully into the Massif Central in France; about 500 are now found there. In Spain, there are tens of thousands of birds, from a low of a few thousand around 1980. The Pyrenees population has apparently been affected by an EC ruling that due to danger of BSE transmission, no carcasses must be left on the fields for the time being. This has critically lowered food availability. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffon_vulture So this last point would also indicate the lack of a food source for the Lammergeier. (carcase bones) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lammergeier If memory is correct the Col du Tourmalet is in the Pryenees (?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob b Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 whilst out walking with my young niece some years ago, I pointed to a bird and asked her "what sort of bird is that then"she replied "a dicky bird "God give me strength....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duffers Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Mountains - Les Pyrénées Although most of the high altitude speciality are present (Gavarnie and the Col du Tourmalet being the best places to see Snowfinches, Alpine Accentor etc.) the Pyrénées are renowned for the quantity and quality of the birds of prey present in the western part of the range; Griffon, Egyptian and Bearded Vulture; Booted, Golden and Short-toed Eagle, Black and Red Kite all breed. For Bearded Vulture the Gavarnie area is the best bet, La Falaise aux Vautours in the Ossau valley has the biggest French colony of Griffon Vulture as well as Peregrine, Egyptian Vulture, Crag Martin and Red-billed Chough. Organbideska is the most spectacular visible migration spot in France starting with Black Kites in August and finishing with Cranes in November. Nearby Iraty Forest is a good spot for the elusive White-backed Woodpecker. Other good migration spots include: Eyne (eastern part of the range can have amazing Short-toed Eagle days, up to 200 per day!) and most pass on the western part of the mountains (for more information on migration counts in the Pyrénées contact OCL). and - you can also see flamingos on the Loire estuary at St Nazaire lovely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 bob b - 2010-09-30 11:09 PMwhilst out walking with my young niece some years ago, I pointed to a bird and asked her "what sort of bird is that then"she replied "a dicky bird "God give me strength.......Maybe you should have avoided the cricket ground :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted October 1, 2010 Author Share Posted October 1, 2010 Wow - thanks guys! I assume there are so many on the Col (Pyrenees) due to the rich pickings ... of all the cyclists who don't make it to the top! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.