Unfortunately, the Hoopoe could not be relocated after searching nearby horse paddocks and playing fields. Many thanks to Phil Andrews for helping me look but it was always going to be a needle in a haystack, really - but maybe it'll pop up again. Excellent flight views were obtained for maybe 30 seconds - I picked it up in the distance as it flew in typical floppy flight directly towards me - it eventually passed virtually directly over my head at tree-top height and then continued to fly due east-north-east towards Droitwich. A superb addition to my patch list.
A second addition came in the form of 2 Shelducks that flew over heading towards Westwood. Other birds noted in the area today included 7 Willow Warblers, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Ravens, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Treecreeper, 4 Meadow Pipits over, Water Rail, GS and Green Woodpeckers, 5 Buzzards, Coal Tit, female Kestrel (eating worms) and a Swallow.
A really excellent morning - things are looking up at last!