I had a nice lie in this morning and sent Uncle Albert across to Seaburn in County Durham to go and find the Bee-eater for me. I'd a theory that all the Chav fireworks may have scared the bird off so thought it best to risk his petrol money rather than mine! As it happens he must have got the directions wrong as he parked at Whitburn and walked from there, arriving at the Bee-eater site at the same time as me (I left after news appeared on twitter that the bird was still present - possibly frozen to an aerial).
It was actually quite enjoyable birding in a suburban environment for a change, loved the chav boy-racers and their comments. Real intellect! Did the northeast proud. Was also great to catch up with Tristan (Inked Naturalist) and a few other birders I knew.
What about the bird? Well, it showed a treat, on TV aerials and in trees etc, amazingly given the near-freezing temperatures even at mid-day when I arrived on site it was busy catching bees and wasps! An ivy-covered fence/wall was a particularly popular hunting haunt for it. As it sallied out for insects it would sometimes come really low overhead almost in touching distance and it would occasionally give its distinctive call, especially when landing. I managed the following photos today, ok but not as good as some of the incredible images on birdguides!!
Satisfied within this brilliant bird I gave Uncle Albert a lift back to where he'd parked to save his legs the 5 mile walk! A true gentleman.
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
European Bee-eater © Andy Walker 2012
Very nice. A good November tick :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice November surprise!
ReplyDeleteI hope your tours are a little more geographically correct!
ReplyDeleteTry Tyne & Wear, this hasn't been County Durham since the early 1970's!
Says Durham on Birdguides which is good enough for me!
ReplyDeleteCracking bird would love to see one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, well worth the drive Andy, great bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics and funny write up! x
ReplyDeleteThanks Naturebites!
ReplyDeleteWow, fab photos! Definitely worth venturing out for!
ReplyDeleteThank you, definitely one of my 'bird of the year' contenders!
ReplyDeleteHi Andy
ReplyDeleteAmazing images... I'm in a band called Birds On Aerials and wondering if I can use the image of the bee-eater sitting on the aerial for our website homepage - I can put a photo credit on Many Thanks and a fab blog - Helen
Hi Andy
ReplyDeleteI'm in a band called Birds On Aerials - I'm just putting a website together and wondering if I can use the lovely image of the bee-eater on the aerial? I can put a photo credit on the image Many Thanks Helen
Hi Helen, Thanks for your comment. Please feel free to use and of my pictures if you'd like. Thanks Andy
ReplyDelete