Didn't believe in the Hamworthy Hoopoe? Well here's the proof... (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Didn't believe in the Hamworthy Hoopoe? Well here's the proof...
11:00am Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Diana Henderson
The Hoopoe, by Graham Hobbs
Keen photographer Graham Hobbs was delighted when he spotted an exotic bird in his front garden, more often seen in sunnier climes.
The pinkish-brown hoopoe was a more usual site in South Africa, where he lived some years ago, but he never expected to see one in Hamworthy, Poole.
“I was very excited to see it,” he said.
“I have said I would love to see one in this country, I never expected to do so. It’s a dream come true,” said Graham, 54, who lives in Symes Road.
His daughter Jessica, 12, a Lytchett Minster School pupil, was working at home on Wednesday when she spotted the mistle thrush size bird with its striking black and white wings, through the window.
“My wife is South African and I lived there for a few years. I instantly recognised it,” said the former freelance photographer.
He grabbed his camera and shot off a few frames through the window before a neighbour came out and the frightened crested bird flew to the other side of the garden.
Changing his lens to the 400mm one he bought to shoot wildlife in South Africa, he went to the front door and lay down and the hoopoe obligingly approached, enabling him to take this delightful shot.
See the shot full size in the Echo's Flickr group
“They don’t seem to be enormously scared birds,” he said. “They will let you get quite close before they fly away.”
He said: “It’s basically a rare passage migrant which would never deliberately come to England, on its way to Europe. It’s quite early in the year for them to be doing that. They sometimes get blown off course.”
There have been reports in the past week of a hoopoe seen in the area including at Turlin Moor.
“My wife Edna says getting a visit from a hoopoe is supposed to be lucky,” he added.
Comments(10)
Lewcee
says...
2:16pm Mon 4 Feb 13
I for one am impressed, and it is a beautiful picture - thanks for sending it in Graham Hobbs.
Some of us have been really cheered up to see your brilliant pic of this lovely bird.
Por Speller
says...
4:47pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Totally agree with Lewcee. It's a great photo of a brilliant bird, thanks for publishing this.
benjamin
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10:34pm Mon 4 Feb 13
paul.p
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10:54pm Mon 4 Feb 13
bobsworthforever
says...
2:08pm Tue 5 Feb 13
whataboutthat wrote:So what i saw some in the Canaries 6 years ago not quite the same as having one in the garden and taking a nice photo
Saw several in and around Tuckton/Wick Lane last year. Not that unusual.
stevobath
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10:38am Wed 6 Feb 13
KLH
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11:11am Wed 6 Feb 13
Linda Payne
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12:53pm Wed 6 Feb 13
scrumpyjack
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5:03pm Wed 6 Feb 13
whataboutthat wrote:Well I live there and have not see this "common sight".
Saw several in and around Tuckton/Wick Lane last year. Not that unusual.
Saw one in Spain once (having been there lots) so actually I would say it is pretty rare.
whataboutthat says...
1:31pm Mon 4 Feb 13