Belloy-La-Chaussée circular walk

Parking: in the Church square

Signposts : yellow from points 1 to 5 and white-red from points 5 to 1.
On this walk you can see many species of birds, and also the ruins of Picquigny fortress and the ponds along the Somme.

Urban environment
(around points 1, 5 and 6 on the map)

The walk goes through two villages where you can observe the main species that frequent inhabited areas.

The Collared dove is often seen around dwellings.

Two species are omnipresent in this environment: the House sparrow and the Starling. Both build their nests in cavities. The latter, outside of nesting time, forms groups which can reach up to several thousand individuals.

Farmlands
From point 6 to point 7, the walk goes through a large-scale farming area. Different birds frequent these environments, which have been greatly modified by man.

Two species of birds of prey can be seen here: the Kestrel which can often be seen hovering above, and the Hen harrier (mostly September to April) which flies level with the vegetation to surprise its prey.

The Grey partridge can be seen in pairs during breeding time (March to June), then in groups.

A species abundant in this environment is the Sky lark, which you have to look for high in the sky when it sings (February to October). In winter, it gathers together in groups. Also present are the Yellow wagtail (April to August) and the Corn bunting. At breeding time, these two species can be seen singing sitting on the top of a plant.

Copse
There is a small wooded area between points 1, 2 and 3. The lines of trees are home to quite a number of species: Wood pigeon, Great spotted woodpecker, Lesser spotted woodpecker, Long-tailed tit and the different species mentioned under gardens.

In the pollarded willows (ball-shaped) there is a pair of Little owls, which can be seen in broad daylight or, more frequently, at dusk. It must be looked for on pasture fences or at the entrance to cavities in old trees.

Along the Somme
The walk continues along the river between points 2 and 4. You can often see the Kingfisher, which nests in a cavity dug into the riverbank. It flies at great speed which makes it difficult to spot. However, it can be distinguished particularly by its high-pitched ringing call.

The Moorhen can also be seen on the river, where it hides under the bushes overhanging the river, just like the Little grebe, a tireless diver, which likes the non-freezing waters of the Somme.

Walking along the towpath you can observe the species which frequent the afforestations and areas of undergrowth at the bottom of the valley. Note particularly: the Lesser spotted woodpecker, which meticulously explores tree trunks in search of food, and two birds which are conspicuous for their song: the Nightingale (April to June) and the Golden Oriole , which sits in the tree tops.

Different species of Warblers can be heard or observed here: Chiffchaff (March to October), Willow warbler (April to August), and Blackcap (April to October).

The marsh
From point 4 to point 5, the route crosses a group of ponds and reedbeds which are home to some noteworthy birds.

After point 4, while crossing a reedbed you can hear and observe different species that nest in this unusual environment (from April to July). These are mainly small species:

• the Bluethroat, cousin of the robin which has recently colonised the region's wet areas;
• the Savi's warbler and Grasshopper warbler, which can be located by their song, similar to the chirring of insects;
• the Reed warbler and Marsh warbler, which are plentiful in this environment, as is the Sedge warbler.

Finally, the Reed bunting, a seed-eating bird which can be heard singing, hanging off a cluster of reeds.

This environment is also the breeding place for a very spectacular bird of prey, the Marsh harrier , which can be observed (April to August) flying over the reeds looking for its prey.

Further on, the walk takes you alongside some ponds, where we suggest you take a look at the different species to be found there.

In this area you can observe the Great crested grebes , whose mating displays (March/April) are superb. They are often accompanied by two cousins: the Coot and the Moorhen, which search the aquatic plant life for food.

In the reedbeds at the edges of the ponds, two species are particularly worth noting: the Little bittern, this little Heron is becoming scarce and is a regular visitor to the site (May to August), like the Great reed warbler, which is easily located by its harsh ringing song.

The Common cuckoo, from April to July, can also be seen in these environments.

Frise Marsh circular walk

It can be done in 3hrs 15 mins.

Start: Eclusier-Vaux drawbridge

Signposts: yellow

On this walk you can see not only many species of birds, but also the eel-ponds, the church of Saint-Marie-Madeleine d’Eclusier-Vaux, and the village of Frise, described by Blaise Cendrars in "The Severed Hand", in which he recounts his life at the front in 1915 on the banks of the Somme.

Farmlands
The walk crosses or goes along the edge of large-scale farming areas from point 2 to point 3 and from point 5 to point 7. These farmed plateaux support intensive agriculture, which leaves little room for nature. Species here, therefore, are less plentiful.

• the Grey partridge, which is relatively frequent. At the start of the breeding season, it can be seen in pairs, then later in the season, in groups, which sometimes comprise many individuals.
• abundant in these environments, the Skylark can be located by its tuneful song. You have to look for it high in the sky (February to October). In winter it gathers in groups.
• the Yellow wagtail (April to August) and the Corn bunting. These two species, during breeding time can be found singing, sitting on the top of a plant.

In autumn and winter, quite a number of species group together. On the ploughed fields you can see Lapwings, often in large numbers. The remains from farming and the fallow land attract groups of seed-eating passerines: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Corn bunting and Reed bunting, Skylark, Linnet, and Siskin.

Farmlands are also the hunting ground for various species of birds of prey: Hen harriers and Marsh harriers (March to September), Buzzard, and Kestrel.

Woods, copses and wooded marshes
There are a variety of afforestations on the farmland plateaux between points 4 and 6 and at the bottom of the valley between points 3 and 4.

They are nesting sites for several species of birds of prey.

Two large-wingspan species can be observed: the Honey buzzard, specialised in eating the larvae of wasps and other Hymenoptera, is around from May to August. The Buzzard, which is the most common, is often seen flying over these sites in flat circles.

Two smaller species: the Sparrowhawk flies very fast in pursuit of smaller birds on which it feeds, and the Kestrel, which can be located by its cross-shaped flight (while hovering).

The Pheasant can be observed on the edge of wooded areas.

Wood pigeon, Turtle dove and Great spotted woodpecker can also be seen on this section of the walk.

A succession of small birds also frequents these environments: Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Garden warbler (April to August), Chiffchaff (March to October), Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Short-toed treecreeper, Nuthatch, Starling, Crow, Chaffinch, Hawfinch.

Marsh areas
You walk alongside or across ponds and reedbeds between points 3 and 4 and points 6 and 7.

A variety of water birds can be seen on the ponds:

the Great crested grebe likes areas of water where it builds its nest on the floating vegetation; the Great cormorant fishes in the currents and often stands on fences to dry its plumage; the Mute swan : 2 to 3 pairs of this majestic bird nest in the marsh area; the Coot and Moorhen exploit the white water-lily beds and other aquatic plants.

Various species of ducks use the area as a stopping-off place during migration: Mallard, Teal, Shoveler.

Two species of raptor often fly over these environments. These are the Marsh harrier (April to August), which nests in the reedbeds, and the Hobby, which catches Swallows and Dragonflies on the wing.

As you reach point 7 you can see various species of passerine in the reedbeds between April and August. These are the White-spotted bluethroat, close relative of the Robin, the Sedge warbler, which sings as it flies over the reedbeds, and the Reed warbler and Marsh warbler.

The Great grey shrike, a rapidly declining species, is seen fairly regularly. It can be spotted on the tops of trees or bushes.

The Somme canal
The walk goes along the canal after point 7 up to point 1. You will be able to see the superb Kingfisher, which flies like a blue arrow at high speed over the water, and the Grey wagtail, which nests in the village of Frise, like its cousin the White wagtail.

The Little bittern, a small heron, declining in numbers, nests in the neighbouring marshes and can be seen on the banks of the canal.

In winter, Coots and Moorhens collect in groups, sometimes large groups, near the lock.

The chalk slopes

These environments are home to a variety of species:

• the Tree pipit (April to August), whose song is accompanied by a flight ending in a steep descent;
• the Whitethroat (April to August) which is distinguished by its song in flight;
• the Willow warbler (April to August) and the Yellowhammer.

The Urban areas
Passing through the villages of Frise and Eclusier-Vaux you will be able to see the species that frequent these inhabited environments.

Around the buildings: Collared dove, Common swift (May to August), House martins and Swallows (April to September), Black redstart (March to September), House sparrow and Starling.

In garden areas: Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song thrush, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Magpie and various species of granivore: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Linnet (March to August), Serin (March to August).

Crécy forest
This vast beech grove, covering over 4,000 hectares, welcomes the main birds which frequent the wooded areas of the Somme. A succession of different species depending on the management methods of the forest: tree plantation, copse, forest cutting, young plantation, conifer plantation.

Several species of raptor frequent the group of trees.

These are:

• the Honey buzzard, specialised in eating the larvae of wasps and other Hymenoptera, is around from May to September;
• the Buzzard, which is fairly abundant and can be seen throughout the year;
• the Hen harrier, which usually frequents the forest cuttings, which it flies over close to the vegetation to catch its prey;
• the Sparrowhawk, a small raptor built for pursuing the small birds on which it feeds, and which flies very quickly across the afforestations;
• the Kestrel which hunts out in the open in the forest cuttings. It can be spotted by its cross-shaped flight (while hovering).

• the Black woodpecker, Europe's largest Woodpecker, is not very plentiful here;
• the Stock dove, fairly unobtrusive, can be located by its song;
• the Redstart (April to August) a declining species in the département, can be seen in small numbers. In the conifer plantations you can see three species which nest here:
• the Black tit and the Crossbill; the latter comes to this site when it is flooded (June to October) i.e. irregularly.
• the Goldcrest.

Wooded groupings are visited by quite a few of the more common species, which are easier to observe in spring:

Green woodpecker , great spotted woodpecker, Wood pigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Mistle thrush, Songthrush, Robin, Chiffchaff (March to October), Blackcap (April to September), Blue tit, Great tit, Crested tit, Marsh tit, Short-toed treecreeper, Nuthatch, Chaffinch.

Note two species in particular: the Wood warbler, not very common in the region, and the Hawfinch, an unobtrusive species which usually sits at the foot of a tree.

The Tawny owl can be heard almost all year round, sometimes during the day. The Long-eared owl can also be seen here most often at dusk during breeding time (May and June).

During migration, the forest is a stopping-off place for several species: Woodcock, Wryneck and a variety of passerines.

For more information, contact: the Crécy National Forest (history, species, walks).

Practical info
The Rhône Alpes Ornithological Centre has produced an excellent listing and description of the birds of Europe, in CD-ROM format published by Sittelle.

It covers 358 species, with examples of their call and song, identification drawings, photographs, a map showing geographical distribution and explanatory text.

Click on the links below to learn more about 29 species of birds in the Somme, from an extract from the CD-ROM.