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Saturday, 28 April 2012

Return of the Hoopoe

Today has been one of the wettest days for many months, it has rained non stop... Like being back in Lancashire!

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.


Bet it wished it had stayed in Africa with the way the weather has been, but on the other hand, judging by the size of the worm in the first photograph, the food is good.

For more information on the Hoopoe click here




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9 comments:

  1. Janice28 April 2012 at 18:07

    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 !

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  2. Susan28 April 2012 at 18:25

    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.

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    1. Colin and Elizabeth28 April 2012 at 19:00

      Susan you have lost me there! Why should you think I was a vicar???

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    2. Susan28 April 2012 at 20:41

      Because hoopoes only appear on vicar's lawns - it's a rule of birdwatching.

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  3. The Broad28 April 2012 at 21:59

    What a beautiful bird. I've heard the call, but not seen the bird. Where are you from in Lancashire?

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    1. Colin and Elizabeth29 April 2012 at 17:22

      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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  4. Pollygarter28 April 2012 at 23:04

    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.

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  5. Diane29 April 2012 at 13:32

    We also have the hoopoes back and Nigel has not got a while collar either :) In South Africa it was always pronounced 'HooPoo' Diane

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  6. Jean29 April 2012 at 16:56

    I have never seen one in LGP, lucky Martin and Denise - they are not far from us.

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