Wednesday, 12 August 2026

Bee-eaters spotted at nest in Leyburn, North Yorkshire - but, alas, both birds were long dead and stuffed

 


A cased pair of European Bee-eaters (above) has sold for £550 at a specialist taxidermy sale held by Tennants auctioneers in Leyburn. North Yorkshire. This was at the higher end of the pre-sale estimate of  between £400 and £600. The Victorian enthusiasm for stuffed birds is regarded with unease by most birders today - perhaps not least because of misgivings about the means by which some have been acquired - but there is  still a firm interest among a small number of collectors. At the same sale, a stuffed Roller sold for £160 midway between the £120-£180 pre-sale estimate.



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