Hoopoes (1 Viewer)

I live in SW Germany and am hoping to see a Hoopoe. I have been reading up on them and learning about what type of habitat they prefer and their various habits. I was just wondering if anyone else has seen one before and how difficult it was to see it. Did you just chance upon it or were you looking for one and found it easily? Thanks for the help.

Joe

You're a bit far to the north in Germany to have a good chance (migrants are not impossible, but you’ll have to be lucky). There about 30 pairs at the Kaiserstuhl near Freiburg, which is the best site in Germany (for Bee-eater as well). Locations are given in "Vögel beobachten in Süddeutschland” by Moning Wagner (not sure if there's an English translation).
Hoopoes can be very unobtrusive and are most easily seen in flight. However, once you've found one on the ground they are usually easy to watch.

Sounds like I might be making a three hour drive down there. Now off to look for a hotel...