With yet more wet and windy weather over the weekend there was unfortunately no opportunity for bird ringing, so I thought it was time to delve in the archives and another post from my Turkey trip in May 2011. This time, rather than post images of a selection of species, I thought I would focus on one species, and undoubtedly one of the trip favourites for many. Bee-eaters generally are popular species due to their bright and sometimes iridescent colouration, and the fact that they tend to nest in colonies, therefore can be seen in large numbers and are very approachable.
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| Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters - Turkey 2011 |
During this trip we encountered several, often large flocks of European Bee-eaters on migration, but it wasn't until our last full days birding that we saw Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. And what a fantastic sight they were!
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| Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Turkey 2011 |
We were taken to the outskirts of a small village called Ilhan Koyu, where there was a known mixed colony of European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. The birds were nesting on a mound at the back of a farm, very close to the farm buildings, and were obviously used to human activity.
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| Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Turkey 2011 |
There were only a few pairs of European Bee-eaters present, but at least 20 pairs of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. The Blue-cheeked's lack the bright yellow throat, red-brown crown and back and blue underparts, instead being predominantly green, with a red-brown throat patch and smaller yellow chin.
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| Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Turkey 2011 |
In flight both species have rusty-red under-wings, but the Blue-cheeked has an even width black trailing edge to the wing, and a longer and narrower tail projection.
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| Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Turkey 2011 |
It was great to spend time photographing the two Bee-eaters species, and also listen to, and compare their calls, I will have to keep my ears tuned in for the the next time a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater flies overhead in Hampshire!
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| Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters - Turkey 2011 |
Whereabouts is Ilhan Koyu as this be great for my planned trip next year?
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