Rare bee-eater bird spotted in the UK!

Rare bee-eater bird spotted in the UK!

Birdwatchers from all over the country have flocked to an empty Cemex quarry in East Leake, Nottinghamshire to catch a glimpse of an exotic European bee-eater.

The seven bee-eaters arrived on 25th June 2017, making the long journey from southern Europe. The RSPB states they may have headed to the UK due to climate change.

European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) are a rare bird in the UK, they last nested here in 2015 in Cumbria, and on the Isle of Wight in 2014. They’ll usually nest in sandy banks like the conditions at the quarry, burrowing up to 3m into the sand laying clutches of 4-9 eggs. Reports from visitors suggest they have been seen mating, so hopefully they’ll nest here this year!

As the name suggest, a bee-eaters diet is made up mostly of insects, bees and wasps being their favourite. They can eat around 250 bees a day, but given that one queen bee can lay around 2000 eggs a day, they’re no real threat to our bee population.

European bee-eaters are migrant birds, wintering in tropical Africa then coming to southern Europe to breed.

Should you wish to go see the bee-eaters, a car park has been setup by the local farmer and the RSPB. Parking costs £5 and can be found at Lings Farm, LE12 6RG. Proceeds are split between the farmer and the RSPB. If you go, please share your photos with us on Facebook!

Just remember, bee-eaters are a Schedule 1 species and their nests are protected from disturbance.

--- UPDATE ---

For the third time in a decade, bee-eaters have successfully hatched chicks in the UK! "Nest 3" hatched on Wednesday 19th July 2017, the other two nests are expected to hatch by the weekend.

Nearly 10,000 people have visited the bee-eaters since they arrived, but bird watchers will have to wait around 3 weeks to catch a glimpse of the chicks once they've fledge.

--

Sign up to the Peckamix Newsletter and receive 10% off your next order!