This bird is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful to be found in our vineyards

It is the European goldfinch. Every time I come across one, I cannot help humming ‘Goldfinch, take flight once more’ from the superb song by Julos Beaucarne, based on René Char’s poem ‘La complainte du lézard amoureux’. Yet the words of René Char are worth far more than any speech. Do not strip the sunflower of its seeds, Your cypresses would grieve, Goldfinch, take flight once more And return to your woollen nest. You are no pebble of the sky For the wind to let you be. Country bird; the rainbow Unites within the daisy. Man shoots, go hide; The sunflower is his accomplice. Only the grasses are for you, The rippling meadow grasses. The snake knows you not. And the grasshopper is sullen; The mole cannot see; The butterfly hates no one. It is midday, goldfinch. Linger a while, go on, safely: Man has gone home to his family! The echo of this land is true. I observe, I am a good prophet; From my little wall I see everything, Even the owl stumbling by. Who, better than a lizard in love, Can tell earthly secrets? O gentle, light king of the skies, Why is your nest not in my stone!