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

Info thanks to Andy Isherwood

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!!!

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

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'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.

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.

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

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

Regards, Chris J - B

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

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

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.