The Wydcombe Estate on the outskirts of Whitwell has become home to a pair of rare bee-eater birds which are only the third on record to breed successfully in the UK in the 100 years.
It’s been over a decade since the colourful birds, which normally nest in southern Europe, were last recorded breeding anywhere in the UK. A pair successfully fledged two young from their nest in a quarry in County Durham in 2002 and in 1955 two pairs of bee-eaters raised seven young between them in Sussex.
The latest pair of bee-eaters to breed on our shores chose a small valley in the sandy hills of the Wydcombe Estate on the south of the island to nest. Here the soft ground, rolling landscape and a stream has provided the ideal conditions for their nest burrow, which could be up to three metres long.
As the unhatched eggs of these rare visitors could be a potential target for egg thieves, the National Trust are watching the nesting site around the clock. Volunteers and staff have been working with the RSPB and the Isle of Wight Ornithological Group to keep the birds safe, however you can still see this rare nesting event from a designated public viewing point overlooking the birds’ favourite feeding area.
The designated spot has been chosen to offer the best possible sightings of the exotic-looking birds – renowned for their kaleidoscopic plumage – while protecting their welfare.
The site is at Wydcombe, grid ref SZ 511 787, postcode PO38 2NY.
The National Trust’s nature and wildlife expert, Matthew Oates said:
“The bee-eater is arguably the most stunning bird on the British list; it looks tropical. We’re pulling out all the stops to help the chicks safely fledge, whilst keeping the public up-to-date with their progress.”
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The adult birds have been spotted delivering food into the nest suggesting that the eggs have already hatched. The chicks won’t leave their underground nest site for about another fortnight, so the number of chicks still isn’t known, but bee-eaters traditionally lay clutches of four to nine eggs.
Hot temperatures since the spring have helped attract above average numbers of bee-eaters to the UK this year, with ten seen along the south coast since May.
