Bee Eater or Roller (1 Viewer)

[pstraughan]

I did not see this myself. While walking in woods in West Kent a lady stopped and asked if I was a birdwatcher (the binoculars gave the game away). She said that she had just seen a bird, definitely not a Jay as she has them in her garden. It was decribed as being similar in size to a Jay but slimmer, with rusty coloured wings and a blue body. Having looked through my book, the only birds which seem to resemble it are the Bee Eater or the Roller.

I know that Bee Eaters have been recorded in the UK but what about Rollers? Any other sightings in this area or other suggestions? I have also posted this to the ID section.

Pat

 

[luke]

i think rollers turn up now and again, a dead one was found near me a few years ago i think, or so i've heard, so they do pop up.

 

[Gill Osborne]

Certainly sounds like a Roller - keep us posted! It'll be really interesting to find out what it was.

 

[chris3871]

Sounds a lot like a Roller, more so than a bee eater. What else could it be?

Any chance of an escapee?

 

[Ant]

Although Im not 100% i would say roller too, The size comparison seems to match and bee-eaters are not completly blue on the body.