Page 1 of 1

I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:11 pm
by 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! :lol:

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

Image

Image

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:17 pm
by red
wow - thats something special! - never seen one of them before.

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:09 pm
by becks77
That's really great , how far north do they go?

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:15 pm
by Nomada
beautiful!

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:12 pm
by 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 :)

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:30 am
by 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! :lol:

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:23 am
by 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

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:15 pm
by 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! :roll: :cussing: I suppose they're in your garden! :lol:

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:00 pm
by hedgewitch
Yes, they are amazing birds. I have a pair that live near me and often see them. They never cease to amaze me.
:flower:

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:21 pm
by contadino
You probably don't want to know this, but they're very good in tomato sauce with capers.

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:54 am
by theabsinthefairy
contadino wrote:You probably don't want to know this, but they're very good in tomato sauce with capers.

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

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:08 pm
by StripyPixieSocks
theabsinthefairy wrote:
contadino wrote:You probably don't want to know this, but they're very good in tomato sauce with capers.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: (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"

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:25 am
by Biscombe
We get lots of them over here real punky looking with their crest mohawks!

Re: I saw a Hoopoe this morning!

Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 4:01 pm
by 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