poor images of unidentified birds

[Lemars]

Good morning all

These images are the best I could manage with the camera I had with me, but I was completely at a loss as to what these birds might be. They were swirling in a group of about 50 and making single calls prior to roosting in high trees - in south-west France.



The low sun might have given them a strange colour and I was unable to see anything but their general shape with the naked eye.

Is anyone able to make anything of the photos, please?

[faz]

look like bee eaters to me

[rossy]

Originally Posted by faz

look like bee eaters to me

ill 2nd that. bee eaters. rossy.

[Lemars]

Thank you Faz and Rossy. I've done a little online investigation (with your help) and I think you're probably right.
I'm thrilled - I've never seen these birds before and although I knew they might be something a bit different, I'd not expected a reply like that.

I just wish I'd been able to see them more clearly, but I'll be looking out for them again.

C

[htcdude]

Had me racking my brains there to find something that looks like that in the UK, then I saw your location!

Nige

[rossy]

Originally Posted by Lemars

Good morning all

These images are the best I could manage with the camera I had with me, but I was completely at a loss as to what these birds might be. They were swirling in a group of about 50 and making single calls prior to roosting in high trees - in south-west France.



The low sun might have given them a strange colour and I was unable to see anything but their general shape with the naked eye.

Is anyone able to make anything of the photos, please?

yes lemars , i was in bulgaria 2 years ago, and there was a colony of around a dozen , at the side of a dirt track, lovely birds, to observe. rossy.

[Lemars]

There must have been at least 50 of them swirling repeatedly round a friends (not mine, unfortunately) house. They were there for ages - and kept returning.

They stayed very, very high though - and they move really quickly. Then they appeared to roost - a few at a time - in some high trees.

The camera I had with me simply wasn't up to the task and I couldn't catch them quickly enough. I wish I'd been able to see those colours.

This forum is simply marvelous for swift answers - I can't believe how quickly you're able to come up with solutions to my questions. Especially this one !!!!

Thank you again

C

[Lemars]

and although - again - the quality isn't that great, I thought I'd post the little video I took of the flock.

It's here: P1090987 - YouTube

Is this an unusual number of birds in one flock, I wonder ?

C

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Lemars

Is this an unusual number of birds in one flock, I wonder ?

Not an exceptional number. They breed in colonies, so if the colony they have come from has 15 pairs, and each has fledged 1-2 young, it wouldn't be too surprising to see this number together (and groups from elsewhere may join a flock in a good feeding area before they head off to Africa).

Always nice birds to see (and hear) in southern Europe.

[Lemars]

When would they head off, Roy ?? Would it be worth my while trying to get down there again in the hope of seeing them more closely, or do you think they'll have moved off by now ?

C