Hoopoe influx in Cornwall

This Hoopoe was seen today near Kea Church, Truro.  It arrived last Thursday and has been quite content to feed solely in a secluded, private garden.  Approximately 12 birds have been found in Cornwall during the last week, mostly from sites west of Truro.  The weather last week had been extremely warm with south or south-easterly winds and no doubt played a major part in this influx.

Many thanks to Brian Toms and R G Martin for allowing access.

Hoopoe records in Cornwall this Spring

A reasonable sprinkling of Hoopoe's has occurred this Spring. I managed to catch up with one at Tregiffian Farm between Lamorna and St Loy on Saturday. I spoke to the farmer's wife, who found the bird "over a week ago". She was delighted to tell me that it had fed in her garden at point blank range! My views were about 100 metres away and my photo's are too distant to mean anything, so have posted some previous images of Hoopoe taken in Cyprus last year.

Records of Hoopoe in Cornwall so far this Spring:

21st Feb: Cape Cornwall golf course.
17th March: Lizard.
21st March: Constantine.
24th March: Lizard Village.
24th March: Land's End.
26th March: Rinsey, nr Helston.
26th March: Tregiffian Farm, Lamorna.
26th March: Windmill Farm, Lizard.

(Thanks to Mashuq Ahmad for the site directions and to Dave Parker, CBWPS records).

Hoopoe gets the bug

EXIF Detail: Aperture Priority. Ap F/8. Shutter 1/640s. -1.0 EV. ISO320. Centre weighted metering. WB Cloudy.

This is one of my favourite shots as the bug is tossed up and then swallowed.