Hoopoe - Collingham

 A visit to Yorkshire where a very obliging Hoopoe had been for a good week was too good an opportunity to turn down. It had been frequenting a cricket pitch and was said to have been giving very good views. Sometimes when you hear the words 'showing well' it can still be at some considerable distance and require a scope for the best views. On this occasion, binoculars were not even required. The bird was coming to within four or five feet of the assembled birders, many lying on the ground to get even closer. It was fantastic to watch this bird dig in the ground and time after time bring up a grub or lavae of some sort. It would then bash it with it's bill before tossing it in the air like a pancake to catch and swallow whole. Just the most amazing bird and a lifer for me. I won't forget spending time with this beautiful bird.