Storks herald the coming spring

If the mid-February heatwave has you dreaming of warmer days, you will be delighted to know there's another sign that Spring is very definitely coming - storks are returning to France

To the delight of bird lovers and photographers, many stopped parts of the country to rest for a few hours before continuing their journey north at the weekend. With the sunshine and near-spring temperatures, they are heralding the return of sunny days.

Most of the birds crossing the country come from North and West Africa. They go up through the Strait of Gibraltar and follow an axis Lons-le-Saunier, Besançon, Montbéliard towards Alsace and Germany.

It is possible to follow the storks' migration on the LPO website. The elegant birds will make the return trip to Africa in August.