With some of our most exotic, tropical-looking species on their way back to wintering grounds in Africa, it’s great to catch up with this spectacular year-long resident, and once again get this colourful species on the list for the month.
The Hoopoe Upupa epops is migratory over pretty much all of its European range, but the the climate and habitat of southern Spain allows the species a year-round presence across much of the region, and we see them regularly throughout the colder months.
With a good view, this wonderful bird is of course unmistakable – note as always the rich orange-brown plumage, and the distinctive black and white detail on the wings, tail and crest. Note also the long, curved, probing bill – the Hoopoe spends much of its time on the ground searching for insects, and for such a flamboyant-looking bird it can be surprisingly hard to find in the dappled light below bushes and trees.
No such problems today though…and these recent shots are a nice reminder that not all our glamourous local stars head south at this time of year. Keep checking the posts as another superb month rolls on, and to join us on one of our birdwatching trips and holidays simply click here for all the details you’ll need!
