Hoopoes

[Barbara Jane]

I'm living in South West France and two hoopes have just arrived in my garden.They are the most beutiful birds one could image! Does anyone have them in their garden in the UK ?

Barbara Jane

[Kerry L]

We do not generally get them here, although last year I saw a silhouette of a bird in our oak tree that I did not recognise but it had a distinctive anvil shaped head, and when I looked in the bird book, the only one possible was a hoopoe with the crest feathers down. The other birds around were making a lot of distress calls at the time. Two weeks later in a local newspaper, a person had photographed a hoopoe close to her house. I wonder if it was the same one?

[Shamal]

They do overshoot on migration and end up in the U.K. in small numbers, often on the south coast but they can pop up anywhere. Has a reputation as an unclean bird in N. Africa and S. Europe, tends to pick around for food in cow pats and what have you.

Stunning birds and a dream to have one in the garden.

[Kerry L]

but I dropped it in a rock pool on holiday in Woolacombe, although I don't think the picture would have come out, as the bird was towards the back of the tree, but clear enough to see the shape. My husband has a digital camera and I am really hopeless with these, I much prefer my old 35mm - what you saw is what you got, not focus and take after a couple of seconds. I discovered that trying to get pics of my children surfing - they had zoomed in closer before the darned thing clicked!:mad:

[hillwalkersue]

It would seem that one of these has been seen here in Shropshire over the Easter weekend.

My sister lives & watches birds in West Yorkshire. She dreamt that a hoopoe was in her garden - now her 2 boys are on the lookout!!

I am hoping that the Shropshire Easter bird will drop in my garden first!!!

[Shamal]

It would seem that one of these has been seen here in Shropshire over the Easter weekend.

My sister lives & watches birds in West Yorkshire. She dreamt that a hoopoe was in her garden - now her 2 boys are on the lookout!!

I am hoping that the Shropshire Easter bird will drop in my garden first!!!

They are wonderful birds, I have been lucky to see several. A Hoopoe is well worth travelling to see, although you are then on a slippery slope to becoming a 'twitcher' ;)

I think the Shropshire bird was in Foxwood, and was still there today.

[hillwalkersue]

I have seen hoopoes in Egypt on a number of occasions but not in this country.

My auntie has a place in Spain & she had 2 pairs in her garden last week.

Sue:)

[Miranda]

I saw a hoopoe in a field in Hertfordshire - don't all rush off, it was 34 years ago, but so beautiful I've never forgotten it.:)

[Barbara Jane]

Yes Miranda they are superb, with their brown and black stripes on their plumes and their black and white stripes on their tails - what could be more beautiful! Last night it rained here and this morning what do I see from the window but two of them eating insects out of the damp grass. It is a sight for sore eyes and I still can't help wondering how they don't trip up over their long long beaks! I have tried to catch them on photo but they are very nervous birds and as soon as something moves they're off!

[Barbara Jane]

The Hoopoes are visiting the garden daily now, can't however see any youngsters, they seem to be all adults busily leaving with masses of food in their beaks, presumably the chicks are still in the nests!
Has anyone seen the young? I just can't imaging what size egg they would have to cope with this enourmous beak! Or perhaps they grow when once outside the egg. Presumably they leave at the end of the summer, for North Africa?

Barbara Jane

[Barbara Jane]

Mother Hoopoe came into the garden this afternoon, to show off her chicks. They are beautiful and almost as big as she is. She struts infront digging up the worms etc. and they follow behing waiting to eat. Quite a sight for sore eyes! Apparently they nest in tree cavities but are very smelly never cleaning the droppings from the nest. I'lle forgive them though as they are so lovely!

Barbara Jane

[justsomeoneelse]

but I dropped it in a rock pool on holiday in Woolacombe, although I don't think the picture would have come out, as the bird was towards the back of the tree, but clear enough to see the shape. My husband has a digital camera and I am really hopeless with these, I much prefer my old 35mm - what you saw is what you got, not focus and take after a couple of seconds. I discovered that trying to get pics of my children surfing - they had zoomed in closer before the darned thing clicked!:mad:


hello all,
..females and technology eh ! <sighs n rolls eyes> ;-)


justsomeoneelse

[Kerry L]

Hi just someoneelse
I studied Physics and I can strip a car engine and put it back better than before, so don't judge me on some minor technicalities. There is no question about protecting your daughter from potentially drowning in a rock pool (even if she is a mermaid) or saving a poxy camera from falling into salty water. And the old cameras were far better than lazy digitals. At least when I pressed the button I took the photo that I wanted, no delays while the digital decides what it is focusing on. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it buddy.:mad:

[justsomeoneelse]

kerry l,
..if you had mentioned she was a mermaid before, i wouldn't have dreamt to send the message i did... :-/


justsomeoneelse


ps. remember kids, smoking is naughty... its not big nor clever !

[Kerry L]

You are a very sad man.

[oasisjack]

Dear justsomeoneelse,

Much as I enjoy reading your err, funny comments. I must admit its getting a little tiring after 20 posts!