29/06/2017 Bee-eaters x4 in Nottinghamshire

Thursday, June 29, 2017
East Leake, Nottinghamshire

After a couple of weeks staying local and settling in our new dogs, it was nice to get out and about again.

• The long journey to Nottinghamshire was well worth it, with fabulous views of 4 of the 7 Bee-eaters known to be at East Leake.  I arrived mid afternoon as the birds were showing well on the bare branches of a tree in the quarry.  They took it in turns to fly off before returning to the same tree.  They were a photographers dream with good lighting and relatively short distances.

Bee-eaters at East Leake
courtesy of  Matt Merritt on Twitter

I have to say the event was managed superbly by the RSPB in conjunction with the local farmer.  A nearby field was opened up as a temporary car park.  The short route along the busy A6006 was clearly marked as was the path down to the quarry.  In all the site was a 10-minute walk from the car park. 

• Colourful and unmistakable, bee-eaters are rare visitors to the UK and normally nest in southern Europe. 
• The last time they nested in the UK was 2015, when two pairs set up home in a quarry in Cumbria. They have also nested on the Isle of Wight (2014), Herefordshire (2005) and Country Durham (2002). 
• These beautiful birds may stay for the next couple of months should they breed.

" A thing of beauty is a joy forever"  John Keats