This little beauty arrived about two weeks ago and has frequented my garden ever since. As with all birds, you have to keep looking out of the window or you will miss them. He is obviously not frightened as his crest is fallen (!), which is a pity as it really is his crowning glory. Unfortunately Mango Kitty has taken rather an interest in him and always seems to be nearby when the hoopoe lands on the lawn, going into full attack mode without bothering to do even a rudimentary stalk. If she catches him, things could get rather unpleasant in the pet/owner relationship. He is even more attractive in flight, with black-and-white striped wings and keeps coming back despite the cats.
Another new arrival is a pair of prinias - very tiny, attractive birds who don't stay on a twig long enough for a photo - and they appear to be travelling mates, hopping about in the trees pecking on whatever it is that interests them.
The robin has been more in evidence of late as well, his cheerful tune coming from the undergrowth in the early morning and at dusk. He prefers the security of a tightly twigged tree such as the milkwood and is quite shy. A friend down the road has a robin that comes into his kitchen every evening to take a few pellets from the cat's bowl, but I wouldn't recommend that in this household!
The flock of Cape white eyes is not around now that the succulent orange berries of the coprosma have been stripped by them and maybe it has made room for a few new species who perhaps don't enjoy a crowd. I know how they feel!
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