Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Camargue Jan 2012

Bird name: Meadow Pipit
Latin: Anthus pratensis
Other: Pipit farlouse (Fr), Pipit des prés • Wiesenpieper (De) • Bisbita pratense (Es) • Pispola (It) • Graspieper (Nl) • Ängspiplärka (Sv) • Petinha-dos-prados (Pt)
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits
Range: Europe, Asia, North Africa
Similar: Water Pipit

Meadow Pipits seem fairly common on remote beaches on the South coast of France.

I saw dozens in the Camargue in January - every few yards along some beaches - with White Wagtails.

Difficult to differentiate the various types of Pipit, so treat ID with caution, but I understand the Meadow Pipit is the only one locally likely to inhabit beaches.
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Photos copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Pied Avocet
Latin: Recurvirostra avosetta
Other: Avocette Elégante
Family: Recurvirostridae • Waders
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Photos copyright: monacoeye • Hyeres, France • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common House Martin
Latin: Delichon urbica
Other: Hirondelle de fenêtre
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The House Martin is a small migratory Martin with white body and dark tail and wings.More photos...

Photos: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

Bird name: Eurasian Curlew
Latin: Numenius arquata
Other: Courlis cendré (Fr)
Family: Scolopacidae • Curlews
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa

The Eurasian Curlew is a large bird and dwarfing nearby waders. Seen here in Hyeres, France, in May.More photos...

Bird name: Kentish Plover
Latin: Charadrius alexandrinus
Other: Pluvier / Gravelot à collier interrompu
Family: Charadriidae
Tags: Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

Photos: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

This Kentish Plover was at some distance on a salt pan in Hyeres, hopefully I’ll get a better shot eventually …More photos...

Bird name: Sandwich Tern
Latin: Sterna sandvicensis
Other: Thalasseus sandvicensis • Sterne caugek
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range:
Similar:

A couple of Sandwich Terns seen on the beach in Hyeres. Summer adults have black bills with yellow tips.More photos...

Bird name: Black Winged Stilt
Latin: Himantopus himantopus
Other: Echasse Blanche
Family: Recurvirostridae
Tag: Waders

Photo: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

There was a large group of Black Winged Stilts and Avocets in Hyeres yesterday. They were nesting, courting and mating.

I noticed on the photos above that the male Black Winged Stilt’s eyes appeared to turn red while mating! Is this possible?More photos...