An unexpected local Hoopoe

 Just before the Christmas break, a Hoopoe was reported by local residents, feeding around the various grass verges and gardens along Joy Lane in Seasalter, Whitstable. Not an ideal scenario being close to houses and wielding large camera lenses about, but I thought I would go and have a look to see the possibilities. To be quite honest it was quite easy really as it was possible once locating the bird, to park a little further down from where it was feeding and wait until it passed, and I was able to get most of my images from the comfort of my car and all within a time period of around 20 minutes. It was a little dull and overcast on my first visit (16/12/24) and after a brief walk around the estate and locating the bird, I returned to my car, drove to where it was and waited.

The morning of the 20th was a lot brighter so I returned to see if I could firstly relocate the bird, which i did, a little further west towards Seasalter and then try for a few more images. Using the same tactics, I came away after 10 minutes, job done. A most obliging bird and only a quick drive from home.

A brief walk along the sea wall by the Sportsman Pub revealed several Grey Plovers seeking high tide roosting spots, making good targets for the camera.