Avian first for France in Var

A BIRDWATCHER was lucky enough to spot a never-before-seen visitor to France near the town of Hyères in the Var.

The Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) this week reported that the first-ever reported sighting of a bimaculated lark was made in Salins-d'Hyères, salt flats that are a popular staging point for migratory birds.

But the LPO said that other birdwatchers hoping to catch sight of the tiny animal were likely to be disappointed.

The organisation said that it was likely the animal was only paying a flying visit before continuing its migration.

The bird is more usually found in Turkey and Central Asia. It is a smaller relative of the rare calandra lark, of which there are about 200 pairs in France, mostly in the Camargue region.