For 25 years, I have been hearing the virtues of the Hoopoe. How distinctive they are, how pretty, once seen never forgotten and of course, the ’oo-poo’ call they utter as they fly about their business.
Have I ever seen one? No! Never!
I began to think they were a joke, a figment of someones imagination, a bluff. Ok, I knew they exist, I have looked them up in the ‘Birds of Britain and Europe’ book. In fact, I know quite alot about them…but quite frankly, I thought I would have more chance of seeing an emu or a Lyre bird strolling about.
But I have had to change my opinion now. They are everywhere this year. In fact, I can barely leave the house now without one nearly flying into the car or driving with one flying alongside. And, yes, it’s true, they are distinctive and beautiful. I have yet to hear the song or a crest in full crestfulness, but it’s only a matter of time.
