Any unusual wildlife?

[david156]

Hi all.

Have just looked at the 'out of place ducks' thread and aeshna5 commented on a White cheeked pintail that stayed on the thames and local parks for a few years. This got me thinking about other unusal long stay birds like the Black winged stilt nicknamed sammy, who stayed at Titchwell in Norfolk for about 10 years. Just wondered if any wabbers had stories of unusal native or non-native wildlife that stayed in strange places or one place for a long time, thus become a local charactor with a nickname.

Any stories would be nice to brighten up some miserable damp days!

Cheers david

[aeshna5]

For a while I had a pair of Senegal Parrots that regularly used my peanut feeders. One of the birds disappeared after a few months but the other bird has been around for c4 years though I haven't seen it since the end of the year. For the last couple of years it mostly associated with the local Ring-necked Parakeets + even perfected their calls!

An unusual occurrence with a native species involved a Nightjar a few years back that was actively hunting + calling beside Teddington Station. A most bizarre place for this species. The locals at first wondered what this strange noise was that they could hear from their houses. Once the source of the sound was identified, they took pride in this unusual visitor, as London birders turned up to watch this bird hunting by the street lamps + beside incoming trains. If I remember correctly it was present for the best part of a couple of weeks.

[Cowgirl]

On the same note, sort of, has anyone seen a hoopoe? Always wanted to see one of those, apparently they have occasionally been seen in this country. Presume it'll be around summer?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

On the same note, sort of, has anyone seen a hoopoe? Always wanted to see one of those, apparently they have occasionally been seen in this country. Presume it'll be around summer?

I've seen several in the UK + good numbers in Europe + Africa (2 species here). They are most common as spring overshoots, there has been the odd breeding pair, scarcer as autumn visitor + the occasional overwintering individual.

They can turn up almost anywhere but coastal locations would give you the best shot. If you want to see one in the UK look at your local birdline information service- late April/May a good time with SE winds.

[Cowgirl]

Thank you Aeshna

[david156]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

On the same note, sort of, has anyone seen a hoopoe? Always wanted to see one of those, apparently they have occasionally been seen in this country. Presume it'll be around summer?

Same here. Always wanted to see one. Missed one in north norfolk last spring by about an hour..... GUTTED

But saw this report of an unseasonal sigthing;

"Tuesday, 23 February 2010
HOOPOE - 251
Considering the continuing winter weather, it was with great surprise to hear of the first EURASIAN HOOPOES this week, with perhaps two individuals arriving - one in West Cornwall (Cape Cornwall on 21st February) and another on Scilly (on St Mary's today)"


Cheers David

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by david156

Same here. Always wanted to see one. Missed one in north norfolk last spring by about an hour..... GUTTED

But saw this report of an unseasonal sigthing;

"Tuesday, 23 February 2010
HOOPOE - 251
Considering the continuing winter weather, it was with great surprise to hear of the first EURASIAN HOOPOES this week, with perhaps two individuals arriving - one in West Cornwall (Cape Cornwall on 21st February) and another on Scilly (on St Mary's today)"


Cheers David

I hope they packed their thermals!

[darrenm]

the East coast can also be worth a shot for Hoopoe if classic conditions prevail during spring migration but early morning is best before the 'hordes' descend. Try searching short grassy areas first which they seem to feed on here before heading back on to their intended destination.