I popped along tonight, leaving at 7.10pm. I didn't see the Hoopoe but the resident of number 5 kindly told us it had been feeding in the garden until being spooked by a Magpie. It had flown into the garden behind but was likely to return shortly. I had to leave at that point. At that time I left a few birders there. Hopefully it will return to its favoured tree.

The Hoopoe remained at the top of the same sloping rear lawn until just after 2pm

Hoopoe still present on the lawn of no.7, Tandlewood Park at 1pm today.

Info thanks to Andy Isherwood

Mike Passant good luck tomorrow ,bird still present a 12.00 today showing on and off , in its favourite tree between number 5 and number 7 .
Keep birding

-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Monday 27th of April 2015 01:41:39 PM

Agree totally with Rob Smallwood, a well behaved small crowd did birding's reputation with residents & passing traffic no harm at all, great behaviour, well done all

Good to meet and chat to lots of GM Birders, sorry not to chat longer Rob (Creek) but the cold was getting to me lol Thanks too for letting me head in first, I suppose I had been the one liaising with the guy & agreeing when he offered entry, can't think why I was nominated to go first, unless it's coz I was freezing my proverbials off and had been there equal longest without seeing it (with Ann & Mike!), but thanks again for that. I went in, didn't even go near the fence as I could glimpse it feeding as I stood well back. A q.look with bins then straight out leaving the bird happily feeding so others could get it. I am gutted it flew a bit later, I was convinced when I went in & out that it would not be disturbed, good luck if any of our group returns.

A big thanks too to Mike the finder, and the residents again, especially the bloke letting us in his garden, a top bunch of folk who are reacting better than my neighbours probably would!!!

Hoopoe back in it's favourite silver birch a few moments ago. Info via finder Mike Ausberger

The bird also lands in the dead apple tree in the garden above no 7, viewed looking diagonally right through the gap and sometimes on the dividing fence just below the birch; again viewed at an angle looking left through the gap

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Monday 27th of April 2015 09:58:52 AM

Good forum meet, great views of my first uk hoopoe to cap a thrilling birding week nice to see robs Smallwood and creek, Steve Burke and Paul brewster among others

Yes, very true about the residents. The bloke in the house next door to where it was feeding was great - coming out with updates and then allowing birders to look over his fence (unfortunately with the same results that Rob experienced) but yes, very tolerant.

Second the comments about the residents putting up with a load of people who look like tramps if you take the expensive optics away. They were superbly tolerant. My view was brief but a classic wings out view. My first in the UK since one at Meols on the Wirral by public transport over a decade ago

It did exactly the same thing around 4pm but appeared farther up the street. Apparently its done it before and comes back to its preferred area after a while. So, unless it was seen disappearing into the distance I'd say theres a reasonable chance its still around. Unfortunately tonight looks like its going to be a clear one which might tempt it to move on, but fingers crossed for those that still want/need to see it.

It's such a shame it flew off. How it knew Rob was waiting I don't know...seriously though, not sure what to say to those who missed out other than sorry.

What might be a bit of consolation is that the chap who came out of his house and chatted to us said that the bird had been there all weekend and had returned to the gardens frequently having flown off for a variety of reasons, so I'd like to think it might be present again in the morning.

Respect is due to the residents there, they have clearly been very understanding.

Unfortunately the Hoopoe didn't show when myself, Steve Burke and Simon Gough arrived late teatime, but we knew it was in the back garden of the property as the nextdoor neighbour came out to update us and show us some iPad shots just to rub it in

Eventually he did ask if anyone wanted to see it one by one, and doing the right thing I let Simon and Steve go before me as I've seen them before. The first observer obliged (who I now know to be Doc Brewster) and got it, then a lady observer, then Simon went up. It flew off as he peered over the fence so he got his Lifer albeit briefly. Steve do not let Simon off the hook for what he did to you!


Other birds of note near the houses...
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Nuthatch
1 Long-tailed Tit
Few Blue and Great Tit
Plus other usuals

Nice to meet John Doherty up there.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 26th of April 2015 09:14:56 PM

The bird favours the back gardens, and unless you are lucky enough to be invited in to one of the houses then viewing is restricted to flight views unless it perches up in one of the trees, which it does so be patient. It went missing for two hours this afternoon, the whole time feeding on the small but hidden garden of one house.
The residents are being very tolerant at present, due I think to the exemplary behaviour on site so well done to everyone who has been so far.

I may be able to get down on Tuesday (at the earliest) to have a stab at the Hoopoe, so any Monday late updates would be greatly appreciated please.

Regards,
Mike P.

It's actually the garden of No 7. It turns out the unoccupied bungalow was a suggested viewing point.

Hoopoe still present at 4.10 perched in tree in rear garden

Hoopoe showed well, though briefly, in it's favoured birch tree, at around 13:45 this aft'.

Regards, Chris J - B

Hoopoe showed well on and off this morning, take the last left turn off tandle hill rd to view around the garden off the dissused bungalow approx 50 metres on the left.

Hoopoe present again this morning for at least its third day.

Bird seen early am in Silver Birch tree in garden of unoccupied bungalow this morning off Tandlewood Park at the northern end (near Tandle Hill Road). Still showing well in the general area at 11am.

Please respect the privacy of residents.

Info thanks to Mike Chorley and John Rayner

Green Woodpecker calling this morning between Royton and Tandle Hills first I've had in the area for a couple of years

6 Crossbill flew over my Royton garden heading in the direction on Tandle Hills early this morning

Extremely quiet here today, I always seem to expect more from this site but it never delivers. Still a nice walk with the dog.

4 Nuthatch
2 Coal Tit
4 Great Tit
3 Blue Tit
several Woodpigeon
9 Goldfinch

2nd April.

Song Thrushes and Jays seemed to be everywhere - probably the same ones following me around!

Plus - Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker (X2), Kestrel, a Curlew flew over, a few Meadow Pipits and at least 4 Goldcrest.

Magpie, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tits and Mistle Thrush all nest building.


Cheers,


Bill.