The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, December 2015 | 23

There’s no doubt about it, winter is a tough time for wildlife. Daylight hours are shorter and food is in scant supply. But suddenly, as the trees and hedgerows lose their leaves, that wildlife – and especially birdlife – becomes much easier to

spot.

In the second of our DSM Winter Watches, we take another look at some of the wildlife you might expect to see in the countryside and the skies in this part of France. Some you may think are obvious, but others might surprise you.

MAMMALS(1) Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris, Ecureuil roux). Often believed to hibernate, but in fact it continues to forage throughout the winter, hiding food stores for when times get tough. Natural predators include pine martens – the only mammal able to chase and catch it in the trees – and goshawks, which will take it on the ground. A protected species throughout most of Europe and far more common here than the UK, mainly because of an abundance of suitable habitat and the lack of grey squirrels. There are no North American grey squirrels in France.

(2) Badger (Meles meles, Blaireau Européen). Also contrary to popular belief, the badger doesn’t hibernate. However, it has developed a strategy for conserving energy during the winter when its staple diet (especially earthworms) is unavailable because of frozen ground. It puts on weight in autumn to see it through the winter and also spends many days underground, conserving its energy during cold periods, and sleeping more deeply for longer periods.

(3) Coypu (Myocastor coypus, Ragondin). An ever-present in lakes and waterways, feeding on aquatic vegetation, roots, water lilies and lakeside plants. Responsible for considerable damage to river banks, vegetation and consequently native species. It is considered a pest. During very cold winters it can be susceptible to frostbite, particularly to its tail. That can lead to infection and often a slow, painful death. The female’s nipples are positioned high up on her sides – almost on her back –so her young can climb onto her back and easily feed while she’s in the water.

(4) European beaver (Castor fiber, Castor d’Europe). A protected species found in many of the region’s rivers, including the Thouet, Vienne and Creuse. It’s the largest rodent in Europe, with a body length of more than a metre plus a tail of up to 40cms. Its main threat comes from being accidentally shot in mistake for a coypu (ragondin). Mating takes place in the water between January and March.

(5) Stoat (Mustela ermenia, Hermine) and weasel (Mustela nivalis, Bellete). These quick, skittish animals are hard to find but more common than you might think, often darting across the road in front of a car. They are weaselly identified and stoatally different – just look for the black tip on a stoat’s tail! In winter some stoats, especially females, start to turn white (known as ermine) to blend in with the snowy countryside. Stoats have been seen to ‘dance’ around in front of rabbits, which freeze with fear and are quickly killed with a powerful bite to the back of the neck. The weasel is a mini version of the stoat. An active hunter, it feeds on small mammals and birds and can be found in a variety of habitats: woodland, grassland, hedgerows and moorland.

by Mick Austin

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(6) Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides, Chien viverrin). Looks like a raccoon but is a member of the dog family. Normally about the size and shape of a fox, it puts on an enormous amount of weight for winter, giving it a fat, squat-like appearance by late autumn. It spends winter underground in its den in a state of semi-hibernation, only emerging during mild spells to look for more food. Its habitat is generally forested areas and rocky banks on lakes and rivers. An excellent swimmer and climber, with fish forming a large part of its diet, it will also eat small mammals as well as fruit and acorns. Mainly nocturnal, it lives in small family groups. An introduced species and quite rare in these parts at the moment. But there have been recent reported sightings in Charente, Dordogne and Gironde. If spotted it should be reported to your local chasse (hunt).

(7) South-western or Southern water vole (Arvicola sapidus, Campagnol Amphibie).Quite rare in most of France but quite common in the Charente-Maritime. Found mostly near water. Doesn’t hibernate and spring (from March) sees the start of reproduction.

(8) French shrew, Millet’s shrew or Crowned shrew (Sorex coronatus, Musaraigne couronnée).It must be confused with all those names! Very similar to the common shrew (Sorex araneus) and often in competition, but slightly smaller. Aggressive, solitary and territorial and active day and night in areas with thick vegetation at ground level such as the woods, hedges and marshes found in the Charentes. Feeds on insects, worms and other small invertebrates and also vertebrates mainly as carrion. Will also occasionally eat plant material.

BIRDS(9) Black winged kite (Elanus caeruleus, Élanion blanc). Now established in south-west France, they are nesting in Charente-Maritime, Charente, Deux-Sèvres and the Vienne. Not usually found in heavily wooded areas. Small prey is eaten in flight while larger prey is usually taken to a branch or telephone pole. Food consists mainly of small mammals, small birds, reptiles and insects. Nesting (on a branch in a high tree) starts early with the first eggs being laid between February and April.

(10) Merlin (Falco colombarius, Faucon emerillon). Europe’s smallest bird of prey, its small size is compensated for by its strong, dashing flight and ability to startle small birds by coming upon them suddenly from its low hunting flight (often just a metre above the ground). In winter most merlins move to estuaries, coastal marshes and open agricultural land where there are many small birds such as waders, pipits, finches and larks.

(11) Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus, Faucon pelerine). Following a crash in numbers, Europe’s peregrine population is now recovering and it can be found in almost any habitat. Prey, in the form of a medium sized bird like a dove, may be spotted from a lofty perch or from the air and, once identified, it will be attacked by a high-speed stoop at speeds of up to 240kph. The flight of a peregrine across an estuary will cause panic among gulls and waders, which will take to the air with the result that at least one will end up as dinner.

(12) Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis, Autour des palombes). Historically one of the most persecuted birds of prey in Europe, it can now be found in most regions of France, although you can consider yourself lucky if you see one. Often described as a large sparrow hawk, it’s about the size of a buzzard and prefers large woodlands with clearings. Courtship begins in February when the male performs spectacular ‘roller-coaster’ displays high above the trees.

(13) Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus, Busard St-Martin).Although capable of rapid, direct, flight, it is usually more a combination of leisurely wing beats and long glides. During the winter months it will often roost communally, with up to a dozen birds flying into a chosen sheltered spot at dusk. In winter it will usually be found in lowland, open terrain, often coastal.

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Mick Austin is a freelance journalist based in the Pays-de-la-Loire. He has had his work published in several expat magazines and newspapers and has also written the Mayenne Tourist Board’s only English-language brochure. He also runs a gîte business at www.gitefortwo.com.

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(14) Marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus, Busard des roseaux). Can be seen any time of the year, especially along the Charente-Maritime coast and the Marais. It loves waterfowl eggs and chicks, frogs, lizards and the occasional rabbit. March is the best time to see its mating displays, comprising high climbs and rapid falls with wings folded.

(15) Bean goose (Anser fabalis, Oie des moissons).Can generally be identified by its chocolate-brown appearance and distinctive orange legs. Some winter in lowland areas, oth-ers around arable land and wetlands. When danger threatens it is quick to take to the air and is more able to rise in a near-vertical manner than many other goose species.

(16) Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo, Grand Cormoran). Overwinters mainly around sheltered coasts, but also on inland waters. It dives frequently and for extended periods. Although it can swim under water efficiently, that soon results in waterlogged plumage and it can often be seen perched on a post with its wings outstretched to dry.

(17) Snipe (Gallinago gallinago, Becassine des marais). As well as its distinctive long bill, it also has a characteristic feeding action unlike that of other waders. It probes into soft mud with a jerky action, vibrating the tip of its bill slightly. The tip is sensi-tive and food can be sucked up without the bill being withdrawn from the mud. Habitat is bogs, wet meadows and upper reaches of saltmarshes.

(18) Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris, Grive litorne). A large thrush with unmistakeable plumage pattern. Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates and fruit in autumn and winter. A noisy, aggressive bird at nest sites and in defence of a winter food source.

(19) Redwing (Turdus iliacus, Grive mauvis). Smallest of the common European thrushes, it’s fairly common in these parts in winter. Roosts together in flocks of several hundred in shrubberies ands evergreens and when disturbed the flock will fly to the tops of the nearest trees. Winters on grassland, stubble and open woodland.

(20) Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula, Bouvreuil pivoine). A rather shy and retiring species, it is heard more often than seen, its soft, piping calls carrying a surprising distance through the undergrowth. Very fond of the developing buds of commercially grown fruit trees in spring, but it can survive perfectly well on na-ture’s harvest. Ash-keys in particular are an important source of food from autumn through to early spring.

(21) Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes, Grosbec casse-noyaux). Often goes undetected because of its shy nature and habit of fa-vouring dense foliage in tall trees during the breeding season. Per-haps easiest to see in winter when the leaves are off the trees and its distinctive profile is recognisable, even in silhouette. Because of its huge bill, it is the only European bird that can successfully tackle hard-cased hornbeam seeds – and it can also crack open cherry stones!

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