22/06/2015 Bee-eaters x10 Littledene near Lewes, East Sussex

Monday 22 June 2015
Beddingham near Glynde, East Sussex

I had just finished my patch survey at Churlwood in the Ashdown Forest' and was heading home, when I got a call from Paul, alerting me to Bee-eaters seen just south of the A27 at the Littledene turnoff. 

When I arrived the birds were still there and showing brilliantly.  For almost an hour they put on an astonishing display before flying off, presumably to roost.  

• The views were better than those we had last year on the IOW; the birds were closer, the lighting was nigh on perfect and there were 10 or 11 of them.  They also came close enough for me to pick up their flight call. 

Bee-eaters on branch
Library picture

Bee-eaters in bush
Library picture

Bee-eater flying
Library picture

Bee-eater perched and close
Library picture

Bee-eater flying
Library picture

 

What a surprise ending to my day!  An exotic groups of birds right on my doorstep, producing one of those memorable "awe and wonder events"

 

 

Addition to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List:

Bee-eater   (229)

• The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae.

• It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia.

• It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, India and Sri Lanka. This species occurs as a spring overshoot north of its range, with occasional breeding in northwest Europe.

 

• This bird breeds in open country in warmer climates.

• As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps, and hornets.