Hoopoes

[Kerry L]

Dear Barbara Jane
How are your birds coming on - any more babies, or do they only have one family at a time? My daughter was watching a film with tigers and there was a hoopoe in the tiger cage eating something not very nice (or perhaps whatever insects may have been in it). I got quite excited - it was nice to see one on film and not a still photo or drawing, but daughter paused the programme and gave me a dirty look, so I left her to it! I did think of you at the time and your little family.
Regards Kerry

[Barbara Jane]

Kerry

The Hoopoes are great! There have been quite a few young strutting around in the garden, mum or dad up front and juniors marching behind, in single file if you don't mind. All the family then stops and are fed one by one. Unfortunately though, I can only see them from my bedroom window, as soon as I go down into the garden they won't let me anywhere near, far to cautious I suppose. What wonderful birds so beautiful. Shame they don't stay through the winter but at the end of the summer they will disappear until the following spring. Will try to get a photo!

Barbara Jane

[Kerry L]

Dear Barbara Jane
Glad to hear all is well. Loved the info on the single file marching, I've only seen water birds doing that!
Regards, Kerry

[Barbara Jane]

Kerry

The Hoopoes have all gone, disappeared in the night without warning. I didn't see them go and no grouping was observed, so I image they just fled. Where do they go to? I suppose it must be either Spain or North Africa - does anyone know?

Barbara Jane

[Kerry L]

Hellooo Barbara Jane

I have looked it up and apparently they go to the tropics, so Africa is a safe bet. Wish I could join them! I wonder if they are later to migrate this year? Most of our birds seem to be keeping a low profile at the moment, although the robin puts in an appearance - oh, and constant sightings of my pesky pigeons! The buzzards are enjoying the warm weather, and I saw 5 today - 2 quite low and 3 playing about on an upper thermal (good job binoc's close to hand), perhaps it was mum and dad below and the children above.
House martins are still flying high here, so haven't gone on their holidays yet.

Hopefully your hoopoes had such a good time with you, they might be back to see you next year.:)

Regards, Kerry

[Barbara Jane]

Thanks Kerry, yes I hope Hoopoes will return, I enjoyed their visits so much. Now I'm on the lookout for "Cranes" coming from North East France and flying South West I believe and each year they fly over my house at more or less the same time and more or less exactly the same position, I am always amazed and that's without any GPS. Wonderful isn't it? More later, will keep you informed.

[Barbara Jane]

[quote=Barbara Jane]Thanks Kerry, yes I hope Hoopoes will return, I enjoyed their visits so much. Now I'm on the lookout for "Cranes" coming from North East France and flying South West I believe and each year they fly over my house at more or less the same time and more or less exactly the same position, I am always amazed and that's without any GPS. Wonderful isn't it? More later, will keep you informed.

Barbara Jane

[Barbara Jane]

Sorry about the duplication I'm still a bit of a Nana!

Barbara Jane

[Jules]

I saw a hoopoe years ago in Israel when I was working on a kibbutz. Maybe this will answer your question as to where they go to?