A lovely surprise today in North Cyprus

louthlass


Joined: 09/11/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
16/03/2012 14:06

I had the best present I could ever have this morning. Despite the cold I was so surprised to see a young hoopoe strutting around on the patio. I have never seen one in years here, but to have one so close, and one of my dogs around at the same time, unbelievable!!

dippersgirl



Joined: 04/05/2010
Posts: 795

Message Posted:
16/03/2012 14:34

Ohhh...I envy you, have seen the here in the wild of the Karpaz peninsula but never one in my garden, which is not small. I think they are so amazing!!!

swyflot


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 916

Message Posted:
16/03/2012 15:06

We saw one on Wednesday on the path leading to our house.We stopped the car to watch it and it seemed quite unfazed.

jimchris09


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 547

Message Posted:
16/03/2012 16:10

Glad they can be seen in TRNC. I have always enjoyed seeing them on the lawns as I drive to/from work here in Oman. Of course they are a common sight in Africa where I first saw them 37 years ago!

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
16/03/2012 17:20

yep have seen and heard them!!! in catalkoy

tarry67


Joined: 16/05/2008
Posts: 1053

Message Posted:
16/03/2012 17:52

I never knew what this bird was before, as I had 2 in my garden last year and tried to get pictures without much luck.

I really thought it was a woodpecker, but now I know what it was......a Hoopoe.

Never to old to learn something new.

SWCathy


Joined: 22/11/2011
Posts: 292

Message Posted:
16/03/2012 23:22

what is a 'hoopoe'?

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
17/03/2012 00:56

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/h/hoopoe/

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/03/2012 07:45

tarry67

We don't get any woodpeckers in Cyprus. They are not migratory birds and they are very territorially resident, i.e. They are stick-in-the-muds who don't travel far at all, so we are never going to see them here. I would love to be proved wrong...

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
17/03/2012 07:50

Are you Lovebirder Groucho ?

Simbas

louthlass


Joined: 09/11/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
17/03/2012 09:33

Actually Gavin, I have seen the odd woodpecker here, The last sighting was in the old harbour, near the entrance about 12 years ago. Also saw the odd one or two in the South when we were here in 1969-74. I am an avid birdwatcher, and keep records. Sorry, I am not one to arque or upstage, just giving my facts.

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
17/03/2012 11:42

I saw one in paphos area many years ago, never seen one here - I will keep my eyes open now!

Moreisless


Joined: 29/11/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
17/03/2012 19:06

I believe the only member of the woodpecker family officially recorded in Cyprus is the Wryneck - spring and autumn passage migrant and winter visitors in much smaller numbers.

http://kibrisbirds.net/WOODPECKERS-