Whinchats in the Alps

25 years ago (Jesus!), I used to survey the breeding whinchats at our summer farm in the Alps, 1300m. There has been no one around for many years. I had to drive up to the Col des Aravis, 1500m, to find two breeding pairs, one feeding a single just fledged chick. No Yellowhammer, no Tree Pipit and no Barn Swallow, all have gone from my Reblochon's local patch. Global Change.

The female rearing a chick




and its male partner


The neighbouring displaying male, attracted to playback mobile phone.


Technical background of the shooting...