Warmer weather sees migration of African ‘rainbow birds’ to UK
Rainbow birds not normally seen in the UK have established a breeding colony, thanks to warmer temperatures caused by climate change.
Eight bee-eaters, distinctive blue, yellow and orange birds, have returned to a Norfolk quarry for the second year running.
It is the first time the birds, which are normally seen in Africa, have travelled to the same location in consecutive years and marks the seventh breeding attempt in England in the last 20 years.
Dozens of birdwatchers have been drawn to the site by the small birds since they were spotted at the end of May by local twitcher Andy Chamberlain.
Bee-eaters typically migrate north from southern Africa to breed in the Mediterranean and north Africa and previously have appeared in the UK when deviating from their usual routes.
Eight bee-eaters, distinctive blue, yellow and orange birds, have returned to a Norfolk quarry for the second year running
Sightings of the rainbow birds in the UK are becoming more common as temperatures increase.
Head of investigations at bird charity the RSPB, Mark Thomas, told The Telegraph that Bee-eaters are like ‘no other bird’ found in the UK.
‘Not only are they indescribably beautiful in their ice-lolly colours but they put on a great show as they leap to catch flying insects mid-air.
He added: ‘This could be the start of bee-eaters properly colonising the UK and a sign that they may become a regular feature of the great British summer.’
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