The first European Bee-eaters I ringed were a complete surprise. During normal ringing at Botuin, a juvenile was found in a net below a telephone line in the garden. After excitedly processing the bird, an adult was found in the same net during the next net round. That net continued catching adults and juveniles through the day until evening, giving a total of 10 birds. Many subsequent visits to Botuin have yielded only one more European Bee-eater in 2023!
Fact sheet:
Number ringed to date (SAFRING): 590 [1948-2024]
Longevities: 7 years [Europe]
Trip report: blog
Reason special: few ringed with SAFRING rings, ringing lifer
