A Golden Moment

Yesterday we had friends coming for lunch, and I was in the kitchen making preparations. Suddenly, B. called me outside. "Listen" he told me, pointing to the tall pine tree that towers over the house. For a few seconds we stood in silence. Then loud and clear came the most beautiful bird call. It was that of the golden oriole that returns to our valley from Africa every spring. There is no other bird song like it with its liquid notes that penetrate the forest. Try as I might, I could not spot this singing bird . Indeed it is never east. The only time to catch sight of them is when they fly across your path from tree to tree, a flash of bright yellow like a streak of sunlight. How I wish I could capture them on camera, buy I can't, so this stock photograph will have to suffice to show you how privileged we are to have this bird visit us on our domain.

But the golden oriole is not alone in its return from Africa. that evening we took a walk through the forest towards the tiny hamlet of Aubaygues. The path runs westwards, and below us the village of St Etienne lies in the valley. It was just after seven , and the church bells began to peal , as they do at this time every evening. Then from the trees that run along the line of the river I heard the nightingale calling. Such an insignificant-looking bird, but what a beautiful song. Welcome back nightingale.

The church is to be seen to the left of the rock. Above and to the right you will see the landslide that has recently scarred the cliffs

But these are not the only birds to have made the journey back from Africa. Swifts and swallows have arrived, as has the hoopoe , although we rarely see him. But of all the birds, the one that excites me most is the delicate échasse blanche( black-winged stilt) with its long delicate legs. This is a wading bird , so we shall have to wait for the weather to improve before we visit the lagoons along the Canal Rhône Sète. If we spot them again this year, I will certainly let you know.