I had a wonderful surprise visitor to my garden at the weekend - a kingfisher!
You can tell from its grubby-looking breast and brownish feet that it's a young bird, probably from a nest in the river valley that's not far away. But what a wonderful treat to see one from my kitchen window.
I thought it would have gone away hungry, but I watched it hover and snatch something from the surface - probably a backswimmer, I think.
I freely admit I'm a bit of a serial pond creator. I think I've had a pond just about everywhere I've lived in the past 10 years (with thanks to various people who've helped, especially my mum and dad...). Ponds have provided the most fun I've had in a garden... I've spent many happy hours watching newts and beetles zooming around under the surface, or dragonflies and damselflies buzzing around above it. And birds have come for a drink and a dip (or a meal).
So I'd definitely recommend creating a pond. We've got lots of tips for you, whether you have a big garden or a little balcony. Have fun giving nature a home, and let us know how you get on.
Hi. Thanks for your comments! I hope it comes back too, but this is the time when young kingfishers are on the move, looking for territories of their own. Maybe it was just passing through?
Over the weekend I've seen jays, carrion crows, woodpigeons, a blackbird and song thrush come for a drink or a bath, so it's not too quiet!
I like the idea of watching sticklebacks in the pond, but I'm not sure if they'd eat all my newtlets and frogpoles?
meg s, the best way to see a kingfisher is to learn the call. They have a sharp, high-pitched whistle which they give as they fly along. If you can hear that and recognise it, you know to be ready as the kingfisher whizzes past. We've got a recording on our kingfisher page - let us know if you have success!
www.rspb.org.uk/kingfisher
Very Lucky you, i have been trying to get a picture of one for about 2 years. We know where there are sightings but no matter how long we stay they seem to stay away. Kingfishers and i seem to be like the advert on T.V.
One day I will get one fingers crossed
Lucky you, I hope it returns. The Kingfisher who visits our pond started as an occasional visitor, now it is a regular visitor. Our pond has a lot of Newts and Sticklebacks. I highly recommend Sticklebacks, not only will they provide food for your Kingfisher but they are the fascinating to watch and eat Mosquito larvae.
Build it and they will come.