UNUSUAL VISITOR TO BENACRE SLUICE

   Following the arrival of a Hoopoe on the beach at Benacre sluice on Saturday and the dismal light when I made a brief visit Sunday yesterday dawned bright and breezy so I made my way back to the sluice hoping that the bird had decided to remain for another day. This was the first time I had seen one of these remarkable birds in this country having previously observed them in Spain. Although not really rare they are unusual in this country as they normally habitat the more southerly European regions and birds here are normally ones that have overshot their intended destinations. Some birds winter in Africa although others remain in the Mediterranean area throughout the year. Very occasionally they have been known to breed in this country but more usually a 100 or so individuals are seen on migration each year more often on the south coast.

   They tend to be seen on short grass or bare ground where they feed on beetles, grubs, caterpillars and large insects and this particular bird seemed to be doing very well finding plenty of food among the grassy dunes near the sluice. It was a very very obliging bird which as long as you were still would approach quite closely without any undue concern. The large crest on the head is normally held flat but when the bird is about to fly it raises up and together with the back and white plumage on the wings makes for quite a show as can be seen below on a picture taken in the poor light on Sunday.

   Walking back to the car from the sluice I spotted a pair of Skylarks on the short grass that seemed to allow people and even dogs to approach closely before flying and with a bit of patience I was able to get these shots of the birds in the low bright sunshine.