I've always felt our greatest asset--ie for B&B's wanting to visit Maureville, is the River Charente, where we have access to our own private all the year round naturewatch!
We have right of way across the field at the bottom of our garden, and can walk down to the river in a couple of minutes.
Every season offers a variety of interests.All last summer the level was very low, and the feed stream from the lake at Rochemeneau, which causes a small ford across the chemin, was dry for months.One hot afternoon my 'grown-up' offspring paddled across the river to the opposite bank one afternoon ( and played and splashed like small children!). They were in search of the yellow water lilies that grow in large clumps up & downstream. I now have a small clump on my frog pond!
More recently,the autumn rains have meant the water level has been running quite high, although not to the extent that it broke the banks and flooded the surrounding field for 50-60 metres , as happened a couple of years ago.
The day before yesterday, much to our surprise, all changed again. I think the sluice gates, down at the leisure area in Asnois have been opened. The river is flowing very fast with a great gushing noise. The levels are lower than ever-- there are sandy 'beaches' along the river shores-- mysteriously with shells lying in great clumps, and new exposed islands in the middle. There is a lot of mud-- and no sign of coypu! Time will tell, I don't suppose they are far away.
With this new fast flowing river I am hoping we will see more kingfisher--my favourite bird! We had a few sightings last year, but usually the river is a bit too slow & sluggish.
Meanwhile there are the usual-- sparrows, blackbirds, robins and great tits--and a lot of buzzards about-- and the green woodpecker ( or it may be the greater spotted) can be heard going 'ratatatat'!
More excitingly, last week, we saw a flock of black storks arising from their nightly roost in the trees alongside the river and migrating south-- much the same as last year, but then their migration was during Christmas week. I hope it will only be a short time before they come back to start nesting!
It's late January, the days are getting longer............... the snowdrops are peeping up through the soil........ there's so much more to come!
2 comments:
No problem--what a wonderful idea. We had 2 or 3 families who stayed last year who would have loved this.
We thought of wild flower walks--but guided nature walks ending in a picnic tea--set out in the shade under one of the splendid plane trees! Scones and home-made strawberry jam, with iced elderflower cordial for the children and other liquid refreshment from the cool box for the adults!
French riverside cream teas--I can't wait for summer!
looks like a great spot for birding and watching dragonflies.
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