The Holiday Property Bond’s programme of Theme Weeks includes ‘Autumn birds in the Dordogne’ where Bondholders are taken on a day trip by minibus from HPB Constant into the beautiful Dordogne countryside to look out for both resident birds and migrants. There are still some summer visitors whilst others are passing through from further north or arriving to spend the winter in Dordogne. Numbers are high as they are boosted by young birds.

The days can be warm and sunny and flowers are still numerous in the hedge banks. Insect activity remains high in the sunshine with, for example, a variety of butterflies and dragonflies still on the wing. We may be lucky and see an early flock of Common Crane pass overhead. Birds of prey often follow the river valleys and include Red Kite and Osprey. Out on Faux Plateau we will search for Black-winged Kites amongst a range of interesting birds, whilst in the forest areas Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch and Crested Tit are present.

The reservoirs and gravel pits of the Dordogne and Dropt valleys provide a good chance to see various migrants including waders and egrets as well as resident and migrant songbirds. The day trips will be by minibus and include a number of stops and short easy walks.

Our travels will take us through the beautiful verdant Dordogne countryside with its pretty villages of honey-coloured stone. We will keep an eye out for all kinds of wildlife and historical features in the landscape. Light lunches will be taken in village restaurants. The outings are led by David Simpson, author of ‘Birding Dordogne’ and the recent ‘Crossbill (Wildlife) Guide to Dordogne’, who lives locally. David, a wildlife guide, worked as a warden at various UK nature reserves before moving to the Dordogne. He is an all-round naturalist with a special interest in birds and butterflies.