France in Focus

First one of the year just landed in the garden, early?

Apparently they've been seen in Finistère, Brittany over the last couple of weeks.

They have been here for two weeks now but their calling has not become incessant yet!

I've seen the first one today having a picnic in our drive. Their usual nest is still available near the window of an upstairs bedroom. Time to find a partner

No hoopoes around here. I did see one once when in a valley in the Pyrenees but I guess we are just too high up here.

I have however heard the first cuckoo of the season this weekend - something I expect most of the rest of you will have done a few weeks ago. That just demonstrates how far behind we are in spring although late spring is racing towards us - we still have snowdrops (just), primrose, cowslips and daffs but hyacinths are flowering and the tulips will be with us in a few days.