European Bee-eater is a near passerine from the family Meropidae which breeds in southern Europe parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory typically wintering in tropical Africa and can occur as a spring overshoot in Britain where breeding has been attempted. This species like other bee-eaters is a richly-coloured, the sexes are alike and the call is a pleasant distinctive trill. As the name suggests they predominantly eat insects especially bees and wasps, which are caught on the wing. Before eating its prey the sting is removed by repeatedly striking the insect against a hard surface. It can consume around 250 prey items per day.

 

There has been just one European Bee-eater reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2007: (1)

On May 13th a presumed adult was present at around 18:00 in flight at Severn Beach. It was heard calling several times moving along the sea wall heading north-east. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire. (Paul Bowerman)