One Moment in Nature is a reflection back in time to a moment of discovery as I explored the natural settings around me. Through the sharing of this moment, is my hope that readers will become motivated to learn more about our environment and its inhabitants, and become passionate advocates for conservation. One Moment in Nature is a Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
THE MOMENT
Following a very busy day exploring Paris, I rose early and took a walk down to the beautiful wooded area by the lake at Etang de L’Ursine near Versaille. As I was still learning the birds in France, I relied heavily on the Merlin App to help me focus on the local species. As I was tracking down a distant calling European Jay, Merlin picked up the calls of a Short-toed Treecreeper long before I could hear it.
I eventually picked up the faint tyt tyt-tyt call and I tracked it to a trio of Norway Spruce that was surrounded by smaller deciduous trees. Now I could hear the tut-tut tut call quite distinctly. Similar to our Brown Creepers in California, the Treecreepers of Europe seem to only know how to forage upwards on a tree trunk, never heading downwards. Now more energetically calling as it climbs, tyt tyt-tyt.
This bird stayed in the general vecinity of the three spruces chattering away as it picked here and there working its way up the tree, only to fly down to the bottom of the next closest one to start the process all over again, and again, and again. tyt tyt-tyt …
It didn’t seen too bothered by my presence and allowed me to take many photographs before it finally flew up the hill and away from the lake area. Over and over and over … tyt tyt-tyt …
ABOUT THE SPECIES
Distribution and Abundance: The Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla) breeds in temperate forests across Europe, from Portugal to Turkey and Greece, and in northwest Africa. It is absent from the British Isles and the Scandinavian Peninsula, but is found in the extreme north of Africa. Prefers mixed and broadleaf deciduous woodland, particularly oak (Quercus), favouring edge habitats, as well as pine (Pinus) forest (especially in S), riverine willows (Salix) and poplars (Populus), copses, orchards and parks, usually with dense understorey
Conservation Status: The Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla) has a large range and population, and is considered to be of least concern.
ABOUT THE AREA
The lake and park at Etang de L’Ursine are bordered by the Meudon National forest. It is the largest forest in the Hauts-de-Seine, remarkable for its steep relief. It rests on Fontainebleau sands and sandstones topped with Montmorency millstone clays, covered in places with plateau silts.
It is mainly composed of hardwoods: chestnut trees (50%), and pedunculate oaks (35%). It is home to a variety of wildlife: foxes , martens , pine martens , weasels , squirrels, as well as amphibians and many species of birds.
Most recent Blog Posts from the One Moment in Nature series.
Reflections of the Natural World 