Hello All
Well finally our third brood of kingfishers have fledged! In a year of trials and tribulations this pair have certainly kept us guessing and this third brood was no different. Fledging was due on Tuesday 22 September, but with the male absent for the last 2 weeks (either predated or died of natural courses, we are not sure) the female was left to feed the young on her own. This along with a spell of lots of rain affected the amount of fish being taken to the young so extending fledging time. As each day past the fledging date, so the number of people in the kingfisher hide grew with all our regulars being joined by others, keen to see the fledging, all with there fingers crossed.
Sunday was the day, with 2 fledging before we opened but fortunately hanging around the pool, so every one could see them, when they emerged from the bushes, to try a bit of flying or beg a fish from Mum. Another 3 fledged in the afternoon, making 5 in total, a great success. Sadly this is not the end of the story as a couple of the youngsters were having some trouble flying, one especially got chased by some coots and could not quite make it up high enough out of reach and landed in the water a few times. Eventually getting away from the coots, it was a bit waterlogged and a magpie caught it. So down to 4. The magpies returned and attempted to catch another youngster, this one kept dropping in the water and eventually disappeared in the reeds evading the magpie. Phew!
Punky (affectionately named by Simon) who escaped the magpies. Photo by Simon Hurwitz
At the end of the day, as i came to the kingfisher hide for the close up walk my timing (for once) was perfect as the female and a youngster flew on to a branch and posed for a while before the female took the youngster away towards the river. So a lovely end to another great kingfisher season.
Mum and juvenile before heading out towards the river. Photo by Simon Hurwitz
Everything looks promising for next year as a male had been seen investigating the new bank and digging a new hole in the original bank. So keep your fingers crossed.
Thanks
Vicky
Thanks to Simon Hurwitz for letting us use some of his great shots in this blog
I'm happy to accept that Magpies have their place and nature can be cruel but having lost many a brood of blue tits to them in my garden over the years it can be difficult. We need a more prevalent Magpie predator!