Mystery bird in southern France

Sounds pretty much like a hoopoe Hitch

Thats it! Many thanks. It looked like it had escaped from a zoo; very exotic. 

I saw one at Pavillon Royal site near Biarritz a few years back.

Definitely a hoopooe.  We have lots around the area we live, and they often hop in front of you along a pathway, keeping just enough distance for you not to get a good photograph!

A few weeks ago, down near Fleury in the Aude, we saw Rollers, Bee-eaters, and a Grey Shrike all sitting in the same shrub, and then watched the Rollers flying to and from their nest box on a telegraph pole.  Bee eaters and Rollers are also very exotic looking birds.

Nearby, in previous years, we've seen a Greater Spotted Cuckoo in the same area, rare Lesser Kestrels and of course there are always exotic looking flamingoes in the lagoons.

This Hoopoe hung around Norwich for about 3 months last winter. 

What a coincidence we arrived at San Pere Pescador yesterday and saw these birds going round the pitches wondered what they were.

Seems they are not so rare after all! We have beavers in the river and they do their nightly foraging run, but I know that they are seen in several rivers in France. Last year a Brit. staying here insisted that they must be otters - until he actually spotted one and had to eat humble pie. 

Other thing I've seen in rivers in France is coypu.  Used to be lots in Norfolk but they have been eradicated here now.  They are about as big as Beavers.

There is a Hoopoe back in Norfolk again.

Our hoopoe friend was back again today. Same place. Felt that now I know his name I could introduce myself. 

Our hoopoe friend was back again today. Same place. Felt that now I know his name I could introduce myself. 

Try talking to him / her. They usually make the sound "hooo, hooo, hooo". Honest!