Whilst birding at Khafra Marsh in late June I came across two juvenile Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. This is a very unusual date to see this species as they are a common passage migrant seen in spring from March to May and in autumn from mid-August to November. Small numbers can sometimes be seen in June and December. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is normally commoner than its close relative the European Bee-eater in autumn but less common in spring. As these birds were juveniles there is a chance they bred nearby as this is a very early date for a juvenile. As the birds could fly it is impossible to prove they bred locally, however.
