Totally Hoopoe Awesome

[bobleponge]

Just sat in my front room with computer on lap, and saw movement on the window and heard a lot of commotion, banging scratching etc. Didnt want to move for fear of scaring whatever it was, so sat tight. About 5 seconds later, the head of a young Hoopoe appears above the bottom of the window frame. He looked at me, I looked at him, Mexican stand off for a few seconds and then he flew away.
Brilliant.
I would have thought it a touch early for Hoopoe here, but no mistaking one of them. I shall have to get my book out that my Secret Santa (not so secret really, cant say but she is quite mad!!) got me and have a look.
I am gobsmacked to see one so close.

[scarey55]

Oh, lucky you Bob, they are so beautiful. I hear one every year about this time but I have never seen one

[Nicos]

Gosh!!!..never seen one nor heard one !!

The RSPB: Hoopoe

[bobleponge]

I saw 2 in my front garden 3 years ago in the hot summer we had here, but not seen one since. I still cant believe its here so early.

[scarey55]

I saw 2 in my front garden 3 years ago in the hot summer we had here, but not seen one since. I still cant believe its here so early.

Perhaps it is a sign of a good summer to come

[Sweepster]

A... what now?

[bobleponge]

A hoopoe, latin name Upapa Epops. Predominantly an African bird, dont see them around these parts much. Certainly in Spain and even southern France, but rare to see them this far north from what I am led to believe.
Not really a twitchery type, but recognised it instantly, from the crown on its head, and the zebra stripes as it flew away.
Tops!!

[roitelet]

Saw one once about 2 years ago in about August. Fab. and no mistaking what it was.

You will just have to keep a sharp look out Nicos, they are around.

[smallblueplanet]

Only seen one once, when on holiday in Crete - it seemed to appear out of nowhere, and one moment it was there on the path, the next 30 seconds...its gone. Managed to grab a very hurried, faraway shot - bit poor but you can see the stripes (click on the piccy).

[RedThorn]

wow they were the emblem on my first schools badge! didn't know they lived so far North.... wow again they're fantastic birds

[bobleponge]

Took the boy out for our evening constitutional, and saw it (probably the same one I would think) again. It was in the field opposite the top of my front garden.
Was pleased to have seen it again as I was beginning to have doubts. I know they are around in France, but to see it so far north so early is surely not usual?
Still stunned I saw it really.

[janeyo]

Maybe after all your african sighting and spottings you are just getting the hang of it

[Lavenderblue]

oh we saw them all over the place when we were in Tunisa, lovely birds, so colourful and cheerful.

[lynda66]

A hoopoe, latin name Upapa Epops. Predominantly an African bird,

aren't you the swot then

[Comfreyfan]

Saw one in Exmouth, Devon once on the way to work - as you say it's very distinctive, I didn't know what it was but some twitchers at the office did and 4 of them left immediately to find it, which they did and confirmed it was a hoopoe - the excitement level in the offices that day was through the roof - they were making me coffee all day and even took me for lunch!