Wow what a beautiful sight this morning, my beautiful Bee eaters are back, around 6 of them scouting for the best nesting sites. Seems to me for the past three years they are arriving earlier. 1st year was around Sept, last year mid August and this year July, has anyone else noticed that?
Yes Jackie, I think most of us have. Trees and shrubs are flowering earlier every year, and the birds are building nests and reproducing earlier every year! (Hmmm, and some people are still not believing in climate change?) Ask the birds!?
M-L
Given that it's only July, I was wondering of those bee eaters are coming or going, Jackie. What part of Australia are you talking about?
They arrive in my part of the world (s.e. slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges in SA) around late November, depart in late January,early February.
We're on the Sunshine Coast QLD, they left here Nov/Dec. This is the third year I have observed them, they are definitely seeking a suitable nesting ground, which for the past two years has been on our sandy slightly sloped council strip. Yesterday they were eyeing up the exact spot. Great spot for us to observe their comings and goings out of our lounge room window. They never stop when there's chics in the nest, last year they reared 2 and the year previous to that 1. It's fantastic to watch them dig their little tunnels for their nests.
Up your way, Jackie, I believe they nest before & after the wet season. Down here from Nov - Jan. I wonder if the abnormally wet conditions you've had are a factor in their earlier arrivals at your place.
I guess that's a possibility. I haven't seen them since yesterday morning perhaps it's still a little chilly for them and they're soaking up the sun in the local vicinity.