I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

[Millymollymandy]

I don't know why I forgot to post this earlier cos I was so excited this morning! I've only ever seen them in Greece before and had no idea they come this far north in France but apparently they do in the summer months. I've never seen one in France despite bird watching here for 12 years!! It was only cos I was staring out the bedroom window watching the newborn lambs across the road that I noticed this brightly marked bird. Though by the time my hubby had run up the stairs after I'd yelled at him it had gone so he is really cross!

If you've never heard of one this is what they look like - really amazing looking and even better when their crests are up!

[red]

wow - thats something special! - never seen one of them before.

[becks77]

That's really great , how far north do they go?

[Nomada]

beautiful!

[StripyPixieSocks]

When I was a child I was fascinated with them purely because of the name lol You're so lucky, I would love to see one :)

[Millymollymandy]

Look out for them if you live in the south of England because they are seen there during migration times. But then again as they are supposedly all over France during the summer months and this is the first time I've seen one in 12 years..... I wouldn't hang around waiting!

[theabsinthefairy]

Hi MMM

I have been hearing ours for the last couple of weeks, this is our third year of them announcing spring.

LOVE their calls, I stand and hoop back to them from the doorstep in the morning, (another reason for the neighbours to think I am insane).

For those who have never heard it:


http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdgui ... /index.asp


Monika

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks for that - I didn't know what they sounded like but that's so distinctive I will listen out for it.

Right so now where are the elusive Black Woodpecker, Wallcreeper and Bluethroat. Never seen them yet anywhere despite living in areas where they apparently abound! I suppose they're in your garden!

[hedgewitch]

Yes, they are amazing birds. I have a pair that live near me and often see them. They never cease to amaze me.

[contadino]

You probably don't want to know this, but they're very good in tomato sauce with capers.

[theabsinthefairy]

You probably don't want to know this, but they're very good in tomato sauce with capers.

(stiffling giggles cos everyone's still in bed) - That's the sort of thing my husband always says!

[StripyPixieSocks]

You probably don't want to know this, but they're very good in tomato sauce with capers.

(stiffling giggles cos everyone's still in bed) - That's the sort of thing my husband always says!

Mine too... usually everytime I look at a baby rabbit and say "awwwww"

[Biscombe]

We get lots of them over here real punky looking with their crest mohawks!

[bodrighy]

Nothing as exotic as that here in Cornwall. We do have a jay that has started coming in and collecting the seed that the tits are spilling onto the grass. Haven't seen one for years.

Pete