A Hoopoe near Bischberg

This morning hasn´t been very interesting. A brief visit at the southern quarry pond of Roßstadt had produced at least a single Goosander and about 20 Gadwalls but unfortunately no waders.

Afterwards I went to the small water house for counting the migrating birds, though the result was quite poor: A male Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzards, 2 Great White Herons and lots of Swallows and House Martins.

When I was finally on my way back, I was not aware that the best bird of the day was still to come. So I detected the bird just as it flew up and landed on a branch of a nearby tree. The distinctive black and white wing pattern made the identification quite easy: a Hoopoe. Unfortunately the Hoopoe can only be seen during passage here in Franconia. Perhaps there are still very few breeding pairs though not on a regular basis. This individuum however wasn´t delighted to see me and allowed me only to take this record picture. Afterwards it was flying in the direction of the water house.

A few hours later I tried to find it again without success.