It has however softened up the garden and this morning one of our lawn feeders returned for the first time this year. The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) pronounced Hu Po has returned to breed as it did last year in the woodland at the back of our house.
We had heard its distinctive call, which can be heard here, a couple of weeks ago but had had no sightings until this morning.
For more information on the Hoopoe click here
9 comments:
I'm really excited to see this....we spotted a pair of Hoopoes in a tree in our garden, here in the Minervois, 2 days ago. I did not manage to get my camera out in time. What a delight !
I thought it was pronounced 'hoopoo'. Great pics. For some reason we rarely get them in the Claise Valley - at least, I rarely hear them and have never seen one around Preuilly. Over in the Brenne they are always calling. BTW, I hadn't realised Colin was a vicar.
Susan you have lost me there! Why should you think I was a vicar???
Because hoopoes only appear on vicar's lawns - it's a rule of birdwatching.
What a beautiful bird. I've heard the call, but not seen the bird. Where are you from in Lancashire?
Lovely pictures! Smashing birds. We've only heard the odd call in the Aigronne valley, though Tim saw one passing through at the beginning of this month, and Martin and Denise get them on the other side of the valley. Maybe they're very loyal to one nesting site.
We also have the hoopoes back and Nigel has not got a while collar either :) In South Africa it was always pronounced 'HooPoo' Diane
I have never seen one in LGP, lucky Martin and Denise - they are not far from us.
Hi Clitheroe and Preston... The heart of the cotton industry where it always rains... The Ribble Valley is known locally as the mold valley!!!
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