Year: 249 (Bee-eater)
We arrived at South Gare near Middlesbrough at about 8:30am and thank goodness we did! The forecast was for a lovely sunny day, but at that time it was still dull, overcast and slightly misty, just what we needed to keep the Bee-eaters in situ. Blue skies usually spell disaster when you're hunting Bee-eaters, because it's usually their cue to go. However, within minutes of leaving the car we picked one up on call and then saw it flying high above us. After a minute or so it dropped down into a bush and we walked as close as we dared to avoid flushing it. We were quickly joined by other birders, and then the lone Bee-eater was joined by a second bird. We watched as the birds periodically flew up, caught bees and returned to their perches to eat their meals. Then suddenly at 9:15am, just as the sun was breaking through, the Bee-eaters flew high, calling, and headed north and were never seen at South Gare again. Not the best photos but the views through the scope were stunning.
Goodbye to South Gare!
South Gare is a very industrial landscape, but there are masses of habitat.
Hi Colin,
ReplyDeleteGlad you saw the bee-eaters and glad you liked my home patch :)
Unfortunately I was one of those who turned up after the sun had come out :(
Not even a shrike for consolation prize
Family commitments to blame again!
Paul B