Tickled pink by hoopoes

ANDYFLOSS sunsets and dazzling cherry blossom extravaganzas have left the countryside glowing of late as if viewed through rose-tinted binoculars.

- STUART WINTER

Yet if anything is going to leave birdwatchers blushing with pride, it will be discovering a scarce visitor that outshines Barbie at looking pretty in pink.

The hoopoe is one of the most recognisable birds on the planet with its outlandish raspberry yoghurt plumage accentuated by chequerboard wings and fancy crest.

Such is its illustriousness, the hoopoe has appeared on more postage stamps than any other bird - and the ancient Egyptians used its distinctive profile as a hieroglyph.