Farnham Herald
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A hoopoe coup for Alton: Rare bird sightings cause a flap in East Hampshire town

Daniel Gee

<p>The hoopoe was spotted in the garden of Herald reader Carol Palmer, in Alton, on Saturday, May 13</p>
<p>The hoopoe was spotted in the garden of Herald reader Carol Palmer, in Alton, on Saturday, May 13</p>

A hoopoe, a rare and exotic bird that is native to Africa, Asia, and Europe, has been spotted in Alton – causing quite a flap!

The sighting has been reported by several residents, including a post lady and Herald reader Carol Palmer.

The hoopoe is native to Europe, Asia and the northern half of Africa and spends most of the time on the ground probing for grubs and insects
The hoopoe is native to Europe, Asia and the northern half of Africa and spends most of the time on the ground probing for grubs and insects

Carol, from Alton, writes: "We returned from a day out at about 4.15pm and I went out to feed the birds and saw a bird on the lawn that at first glance and not looking properly I just thought, 'it's a jay' and then I realised it was the hoopoe!

"This was the same one that had been seen by our post lady at about 11am at the entrance to our estate, and it turns out (from Facebook) that others have seen it too. Amazing.

The hoopoe's calls are soft, quick, poo-poo-poo notes, which give them their common name
The hoopoe's calls are soft, quick, poo-poo-poo notes, which give them their common name

"Apparently Hampshire sees about five of these a year but mostly on the coast. One has been seen at Frensham Ponds recently too I believe. What a coup for Alton!"

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