A local woman has spotted an incredibly rare bird in Donegal that often makes its home in much warmer climates.
The hoopoe bird is usually a resident of mediterranean, African and Asian countries, but several have been spotted in Ireland so far this year – but it is a true surprise to see one in Donegal as Winter is fast approaching.
Jenny Vial spotted the bird near Portnoo yesterday, where temperatures were far closer to 10 degrees than the 30 the bird species would be used to.
However Ireland isn’t necessarily foreign to some of these birds – dozens of hoopoes make the journey this far north each year, but to spot one in the wild is an even rarer occurrance.
Jenny was able to grab a quick video of the bird before it took off, for likely warmer pastures!