Right On Cue, Mr Hugh Pugh

Early spring 2025 saw an unprecedented overshoot of northward-bound sub-Saharan Hoopoes into the British Isles. As is usual, this arrival was centred on the south-west reflecting the trajectories of these nocturnal migrants returning to Iberia and southern Europe from African wintering quarters.

Arriving at Corton (St. Bartholomew’s) church car park early evening of Tuesday, 15th April, the sky was curiously vivid with a warm haze often associated with a Saharan dust plume. Peter Ransome arrived soon afterwards, with the same plan: a search for migrants. The usual circuit around COSW revealed little save for three Moorhen on the tiny pond. We reflected on the incoming migrants which had arrived elsewhere earlier in the day, with star billing going to a Hoopoe duo up the coast at Winterton. The west coast epops invasion was perculating eastward…

We then headed west along Stirrups Lane to check Woburn farm fields for Ring Ouzel and circuit CNSW. Alas, sans torquatus. A piping Bullfinch as dusk descended was typical for this spot.

Returning through the churchyard, I spotted an undulating bird flying south just east of the church which immediately invoked Mediterranean memories. Incredibly, a Hoopoe was speedily dropping into the trees of Manor Farm. Urgently announcing “Hoopoe!”, Peter managed a two seconds glimpse before it disappeared behind the trees where it went to roost.

Thanks to Rob Wilton’s early morning vigil, the Hoopoe was seen leaving its Manor Farm roost the next morning heading towards Broadland Sands. We later found it feeding in the fallow fields of the new Woodland View caravan park opposite Broadland Sands where it proved flighty and elusive, but twitchable with patience. It was last seen on the early morning of Easter Friday, 18th April. On the penultimate day of its stay, it shared the field with a male Pallid Harrier, a quite remarkable juxtaposition of a scarce and rare migrant.