The Lincolnshire Bird Club

A friend has sent me the following article.
Roy.

BEE-EATERS IN DORSET 2006
The Lulworth AFV Gunnery School

A pair of Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster)attempted to breed in Dorset during the summer of 2006. The Bee-eaters were first seen on June13th. The birds starting nesting at the end of July and by early August they had excavated a nest hole alongside a Sand Martin breeding colony near West Creech Farm and their progress was closely monitored by both members of the Lulworth MOD Conservation Group and also the staff of Imerys Minerals (formerly English China Clay) who work the clay-pit. The nest was excavated in a sand seam to a depth of about a metre. The china clay pit was itself situated inside the military live firing ranges. (The birds could not have chosen a better site for their personal safety and security). The breeding attempt did not progress beyond the excavation of the nest chamber. Possibly because they were young birds or perhaps most likely the pair did not start excavating until well in to the summer – leaving it too late. The birds remained at the site until August 18th. At this time the weather deteriorated with persistent wind and rain which moved them on. Due to the obvious sensitive nature regarding the location of the birds and their nest site the presence of the Bee-eaters was suppressed. The site is not within a public access area due to active mineral extraction and a live firing area.
This is thought to be the fifth time a pair of these birds has bred or attempted to breed in the British Isles. Recent attempts include a pair in Durham in 2002 and in 2005 a breeding attempt in Herefordshire was thwarted when foxes destroyed the nest site.

CONTACT:
STEVE HALES (Lulworth MOD Conservation Group – Ornithology)