Birds of Happiness. May Overview: Unusual Births and Places, Rescues, and Bird Songs

It's a fact, and it's proven! Birdsong contributes to our well-being and mental health. Studies have been conducted, and a book has even been published. It reduces cortisol levels, anxiety, and hypertension. We're taking stock with a specialist based in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, and we're even asking for your opinion by voting here .

We talk about it almost every month in this monthly overview: grouse. While the mating season has begun for black grouse, in the Vanoise National Park, in Savoie, the time has come for the first counts . Others will take place this summer, when the young are born.

In the Grand Ventron massif, in the Vosges, seven new capercaillies were released in mid-May. A second "translocation" after the first release of ten birds in 2024. Only three survived due to significant predation. A reintroduction plan that will run until 2029 and is doomed to failure according to François Vernier, forest engineer and botanist. He gives us his point of view in this video .

The arrival of warmer weather brings with it numerous births of birds. But they're not all ordinary.

In Alsace, four peregrine falcons were born atop a church steeple in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, sealing the union of Dragonia, the female, and Spyro, the male. At 35 meters high, the nest box is not easily accessible , but the intervention took place in peace and quiet.

In Villars-les-Dombes, in the Ain department, a species that had disappeared at the end of the 19th ^century has been reborn: a black vulture has hatched from its egg in the Bird Park. Entrusted to its parents a few days later, it will be raised naturally.

In the Drôme department, two young bald eagles , of two different species, were born a few weeks ago at Courzieu Park. These two are 100% natural reproductions, and the park staff did not interfere in any way. Even the keepers have only seen the young from afar so far.

At the Jurafaune Park in Hauteroche, Jura, two barn owls have been born. Named Féol and ET, they are being hand-raised and are already visible to visitors, although they are currently still kept under heat lamps.

In the Rhône region, this video will melt your heart. It shows seven adorable kestrels being born in a castle near Lyon. This has been a tradition for several years, as the castle welcomes kestrels every May. They choose to incubate their eggs and give birth to their young.

Influencer Flooz-Flooz didn't hesitate for a second. While a swan was frolicking in the streets of Vesoul, in Haute-Saône, the comedian grabbed it and put it back in the water .

A rescue operation was also underway in the Loire region, where a baby owl fell from its nest into a company parking lot in Boën-sur-Lignon. The employee discovered it upon arriving at the company's premises. Following expert advice, he returned it to its nest.

In Haute-Savoie, in Rumilly, firefighters rescued a black kite from the side of the railway line. Seeing it injured, a local resident raised the alarm. Carefully packaged, the bird of prey was taken into the Tétras Libre de Montagnole rescue center in Savoie.

We announced it in last month's Overview. The ^26th European Birdsong Imitation Competition has now taken place and lived up to all its promises in Forcalquier, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. More than 400 spectators came to witness this unusual and exceptional event. While France was the reigning champion, it was ultimately the Italians who won the prize after being judged on melody, note clarity, and rhythm during the one-minute concert.

The cattle egret lives up to its name. This small wading bird, returning from migration, thrives in the countryside where it feeds on insects. In Montbéliard, in Franche-Comté, one of them came to peck at the flies that were harassing a cow .

After a good cooing during a courtship parade, a pair of domestic turtledoves landed on the eighth floor of a residence in Chalon-sur-Saône, to set up their nest in a balcony box .

Another unusual nesting spot: the heart of a cast-iron cross in Epinal, Vosges. A pair of titmice gave birth there and have been returning to feed them ever since. Video proof. Chirping guaranteed!

Let's end this month's overview with a little tidbit. Bats often inspire fear and have long been the victims of false rumors. Unassuming and discreet, they are, according to popular belief, bloodthirsty and associated with vampires.

Yet, this fascinating animal is harmless. Friends of man, threatened, we must protect them. Especially since they provide us with many services. We explain why in this video .