Hoopoe in Devon (1 Viewer)

[simonschouten]

I think this is a pretty unusual spot - I saw a single Hoopoe this morning on the front garden of the house we are staying at for the week-end in North Devon.

Here's a photo (from my mobile phone, so not great, but it is obviously a hoopoe!)

How rare was this - any ideas ? I'm guessing it is not a common thing to see.

 

[Hotspur]

its pretty unusual - usually a spring overshoot migrant. Very nice sighting. I imagine the devon recorder will be interested on this.

 

[Jos Stratford]

As Hotspur says, not at all common. Most Hoopoes in the UK tend to be recorded in the spring, rather than autumn and even then only odd ones here and there, though Devon is one of the better counties for them. At a complete guess, I suppose about 10-20 occur in Devon in any one year.

 

[Jon Turner]

One wintered in Barnstaple a few years ago.

Can you PM me with details of where it is please?

Jon

Jos, not sure we get that many in Devon in a year! I've lived in North Devon for 30 years and have only seen two up here!

 

[purple highflyer]

I think this is a pretty unusual spot - I saw a single Hoopoe this morning on the front garden of the house we are staying at for the week-end in North Devon.

Here's a photo (from my mobile phone, so not great, but it is obviously a hoopoe!)

How rare was this - any ideas ? I'm guessing it is not a common thing to see.

I would love to look out the window and see that,what a great sighting.

PH

 

[Jos Stratford]

Jos, not sure we get that many in Devon in a year! I've lived in North Devon for 30 years and have only seen two up here!

Yes, maybe I was being optimistic, perhaps 5-10, either way a fairly rare sighting.

I lived in south Devon for four years and saw three or four, usually twitched it has to be said though.

 

[Jon Turner]

Yup, rare indeed, one was reported from Isley marsh at Yelland a little while back - perhaps this is the same one....

It was seen on 13th October

Jon

 

[simonschouten]

I saw it in Yelland - so it may well be the same bird as the one seen earlier this month.

 

[Jon Turner]

Hmm, might have to slope off over there tomorrow then!

Jon