Hoopoe

[Baconbuttie]

Saw a Hoopoe (bird) today out at Bower didn't know they were to be found in Caithness. Anyone else seen it?

[gleeber]

The Hoopoe is a rare spring visitor to the UK. Last one I heard of was up in Strathy East 2 years ago and another at Dounreay a few years back.
Nice spot baconbuttie.

[MadPict]

I spotted one many years ago on the border of East Pictopia with Englandcestershire - they certainly stand out amongst the indigenous birdies. You were lucky to spot one as far north as Bower.



http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MadPict/images/flaminmad.gifMadPict
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MadPict/images/gruff_ext.gif

[neepnipper]

I saw one when I was at primary school in Pembrokeshire, Wales, we were invaded by 'twitchers' as soon as word got about! Also saw one when I was staying on an island off Tunisia.

[katarina]

describe one. I saw a very unusual bird in my garden the other day - haven't seen him since tho.

[gleeber]

Its got a fantastic crest that reminds me of an Indian Chiefs head-dress, long beak, black and white stripy back and wings with a chestnut chest and neck. Its about the size of a pigeon.

[Rheghead]

Saw a Hoopoe (bird) today out at Bower didn't know they were to be found in Caithness. Anyone else seen it?


Could it have been a Bower Bird? :lol:

[Tugmistress]

If this is what you saw it certainly is a Hoopoe.

will see what i can find out about normal habitat when i get back from work just gone 7pm if no one else has :D

http://www.go-fishing.org/upload/files/hoopoe.jpg

[katarina]

No that wasn't it. It was more like a yellow pigeon with a black head and pale grey wings.

[Kenn]

HOOPOE: Upapa Epops
Quite unmistakable,long curved dark bill and prominent black tipped crest either folded down or erect.Pale cinammon plumage tail and rounded wings strongly barred in black and white..in flight has the shape of a huge black and white moth.Has a hous,hous hous cal that is less musical than the cuckoo and not so drawn out as a Tawny Owl.Normal habit wooded plains.farm land, orchards makes it's nest in tree hollows.

Never seen one outside it's native Mediterranean although they do range across most of cntral and western Europe..a rare visitor here.

Oh and whilst we're on the subject of birds was delighted to see so many Wheatears when we were up a few days back also to hear and see the skeins of geese.

[Baconbuttie]

Thanks for pic Paula definately what we saw, in fact went back and saw it again last night.

[Tugmistress]

Baconbuttie,
any chance you may try to get a piccy to confirm this sighting.... hell of a way off course if it is up here.
link to the RSPB site about Hoopoes
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/h/hoopoe/index.asp

[Baconbuttie]

Sorry Paula dont have a digital camera but nevertheless I know what I saw, I see from the website you gave us that they have been spotted as far north as Shetland which is even further off course than here. It was still there today so hopefully someone else will get a pic for you.