© GW - monacoeye.co, all rights reserved • Hyeres • May 2009

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

The Eurasian Curlew is a large wader with a massive bill. Seen here in Hyeres, France, in April.

Eurasian Curlew, Hyères, Frace, April 2013
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© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Black Winged Stilt
Latin: Himantopus himantopus
Other: Echasse Blanche (fr), cigüeñuela común (Es), pernilongo (Pt), Stelzenläufer (De), cavaliere d'Italia (It), steltkluut (Nl)
Family: Recurvirostridae - Stilts, Avocets
Range: W Europe, Med, C Asia, to sub-Saharan Africa, S & SE Asia
Similar:

Many Black-winged Stilts seen in Gambia in February, especially at the Kotu sewage ponds. Also Hyères, France, May.

Black-winged Stilts are easily identified by their very long pink legs and long thin straight black bill. Various amounts of black and white on head and neck, depending on sex, age and regional variations.

Black-winged Stilt in flight, Hyeres • May 2009


Black-winged Stilts have exceedingly long legs, Kotu sewage dump, Gambia, Feb 2013


Black-winged Stilt in flight, Hyeres, France • May 2009



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© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved, Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Sandwich Tern
Latin: Sterna sandvicensis
Other: Thalasseus sandvicensis • Sterne caugek (fr), Charrán patinegro (Es), Brandseeschwalbe (De), Beccapesci (It), grote stern (Nl)
Family: Laridae • Gulls, Terns
Range: Coastal S America, C America, W Africa, Arabian Peninsula, india
Similar:

Above, a few Sandwich Terns (left of picture) seen in Gambia mixed in with other terns and gulls.

They are about the same size as the Grey-hooded Gull in the foreground, and much smaller than the Caspian Tern to the right.

Sandwich terns have black bills with yellow tips.

Sandwich Tern in flight, Hyeres, France, summer plumage.

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...

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...