A spring at the Hâble d'Ault

This year, the weather offered us two beautiful weeks of good weather in spring while I was on vacation and I was able to take advantage of it to go and do some wildlife photography at the Hâble d'Ault.
First of all, there was this beautiful Barn Owl, sitting on his post, and letting me get within a few feet. I can't imagine how the mouse feels when he meets the yellow and piercing eyes of this bird... I could see him a second time a few days later, but he was less cooperative...
I also came across the gray cuckoo, who had come to look for a large caterpillar in a bush near which I had posted my blind. The whinchat I was watching at the time got the fright of its life.

There was also the white-fronted redstart, which I had never encountered before. This little bird really has a beautiful, colorful livery.

I also learned to recognize the Lark, which I must have often confused with the Meadow Pipit in the past. The beak is actually more conical, there is sometimes a small crest erected on the head and the spots on the belly do not go down as low as in the pipit... I was able to observe them feeding their young by bringing them in turn (both adults participate) full spoonfuls of mosquitoes, larvae and other insects. The nest is a simple cavity at the foot of a grass clump, and the parents are very careful not to feel observed before going there. The brood is at the mercy of the first dog not held on a leash that passes there, or of the first vehicle that drives off the path... Notice to the hunters of the area who do not have much consideration for all this biodiversity.

And then there were the usual melodious linnets, whose male with those red colors is so photogenic. I was able to witness the nest building in a bush, which seems to be the responsibility of the female, with the male merely accompanying her. I could also see a very brief mating scene. The linnets seem to enjoy the lichens and other fatty plants that they find on the gravelly lawns of the hâble, sometimes merging with the vegetation in an astonishing mimicry.
The brush warblers are also well represented at this site. At this time, the males sing at the top of the branches of the bushes to attract females. The variety of trills they emit is incredibly rich! What a repertoire they have! And then as soon as they have found a mate, it is radio silence and they return to their discreet life...

In the images below, you will also find the following species, some of which are emblematic of the Bay of the Somme: Elegant Avocet, White Stilt, Melanocephalus Gull, Meadow Pipit, Spring Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Northern Accentor and Little Gravelot. Enjoy your visit!
Along the pastures...

They accompany most of my photo outings and yet it is rare that I give them the attention they deserve. To make up for this, here is a gallery dedicated to farm animals encountered in the pastures. You will find a series on donkeys near Cayeux-sur-mer, with common donkeys and Poitou donkeys, some fjord ponies crossed at the hâble d'Ault too. I add the Highland cows and especially their calves so photogenic, as well as the Salers with long horns. And for the anecdote, a group of wild boars which crossed the road near me one morning.
Vol au dessus du Hâble d’Ault

Une petite série de photos réalisées avec le drone au dessus du hâble d’Ault près de Cayeux-dur-mer, au soleil couchant. Prendre un peu de hauteur permet de voir tout l’intérêt faunistique de cette zone humide qui fut autrefois un port.
Affût-photo au Hâble d’Ault

Voici les images issues de plusieurs séances d’affût au Hâble d’Ault en compagnie des Linottes mélodieuses dont le mâle est si photogénique, des traquets motteux (idem), bergeronnettes et autres passereaux… La mare au limicoles m’a également permis de rencontrer les tadornes de belon, ainsi que les mouettes mélanocéphales.. Quelques vanneaux huppés, courlis et Gravelots complètent le tableau…
Le printemps est également la saison où les chevaux Fjord agrandissent la famille, de même que les lapins de garenne qui laissent les lapereaux sortir à proximité des terriers…
Les oiseaux du Hâble d’Ault
Voici une petite série d’images d’oiseaux rapportées du hâble d’Ault, en Baie de Somme, près de Cayeux-sur-mer. Vous y verrez les avocettes, le chardonneret (une première pour moi !), les pipit farlouse au nom si amusant, et les sternes Caugek qui avaient repris leur colonie cette année.
Poulains Fjord au Hâble d’Ault en Baie de Somme
Comme chaque année au printemps, le hâble d’Ault accueille les naissances de poulains Fjord. Ces grand poneys ont été jadis croisés avec des chevaux de selle pour donner les célèbres Hensons, race créée par les éleveurs de la Baie de Somme. Ces poulains sont de grosses peluches adorables et pour peu que la maman accepte de dévoiler un peu son bébé et de ne pas se placer systématiquement entre lui et le photographe, de belles images sont possibles.