I remember walking with my Mum as a child, seeing a Kingfisher was a rare occurrence. Today when I walk the dog along the same stretch of river I always see a Kingfisher if not more.
Last summer I found two nesting sites along the four mile stretch we walk, only yesterday I sat watching one fish for a good twenty minutes (sadly I didn’t have a camera).
It could be that I know where to look or I’m more observant now but I’m sure there are more than there used to be.
Build it and they will come.
Hi Kezmo!
Catlady posted a fabulous photo in the galleries! Also a couple of mine (not so good!!) there, and here's another I haven't yet uploaded to the galleries. Taken at Venus Pool.
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Unfortunately in Hampshire Kingfisher numbers seem to be decline as the Wildlife Trust is having to start a donation appeal to provide nestboxes to boost numbers around this county.
Hi,
I seem to be recording more kingfishers this winter. I wonder if it's not an increase in breeding numbers locally but just birds moving south because of harder weather further north.
Just a thought :))
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
seymouraves said: Hi, I seem to be recording more kingfishers this winter. I wonder if it's not an increase in breeding numbers locally but just birds moving south because of harder weather further north. Just a thought :)) S
Up here in the frozen north! I can virtually guarantee seeing Kingfishers all winter, as long as I go to the right spot at the right time of day. It is only been like this for the last couple of years! When I first moved up here I was often told they did not stay this far north. The same was said about Barn Owls. I now see both! I have seen Kingfishers on frosty mornings, not quick enough with camera. Yet!
I wonder if they build numbers in expectation of a hard winter?
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
I know of someone who saw four (!) all in one go in his locality recently. I am still trying to see one!
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
This year I have been fortunate to ring and see the highest number of Kingfishers in many years, whether this is more to do with luck or good fortune I’m not sure! On one ringing session was a whole family was caught both Adults and four Juveniles.
I personally think the weather has great implications for many species of birds, the last three to four years have been the wettest on record!
Many areas of the UK have suffered from serious local and national flooding, at different times of the year, which has had a detrimental effect on such species that nest in river banks.
Kingfishers favour areas with plentiful supplies of small fish and rivers with vertical sandy banks in which they can excavate a nest hole during the breeding season.
In winter, especially in spells of hard weather, birds will move to estuaries and coastal creeks where water remains unfrozen.
There are many areas to look for kingfishers throughout the year though populations may be limited by lack of suitable breeding sites especially were there is a lack of high banks.
Kingfishers may visit almost any water body that holds small fish – lakes, rivers and even garden ponds – on occasion.
As with many birds, the best chance of seeing kingfishers is at dawn when birds are most active.
Stand on a river bridge or bank in the early morning and a patient wait is often rewarded with a
flash of blue as a kingfisher passes by.
Occasionally Kingfishers will move around in relation to cold weather.
In the 100 years of ringing, the British Trust For Ornithology only have records of 15 foreign movements of Kingfisher, shown in the map below - eight foreign-ringed birds found here (in blue) and seven BTO-ringed birds found abroad (in red).
View Kingfishers Map
http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob8310.htm#Demography
Kingfishers Calendar of Events
January – March
Many kingfishers remain on their territories over the winter period and courtship starts early in the
year in February or early March.
Nesting may begin by the end of March with the pair both involved in excavating a suitable burrow,
60-90 cm long, in a bank above water.
April – June
The height of the breeding season. Young may have hatched by early April but as pairs may have two or
even three broods of up to six young birds, adults will be busy feeding young throughout this period.
July – September
A critical time for young kingfishers which are now independent of their parents.
Not all will sufficiently master the skills needed to successfully plunge-dive for fish and mortality of young birds is extremely high.
Young birds disperse from their natal areas and this is a period when kingfishers are often seen
at garden ponds.
October – December
Prolonged spells of cold weather can be disastrous for kingfishers if water bodies freeze for long
periods. In severe winters up to 90% of kingfishers may die.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Excellent & interesting info there Buzzard, thank you! And that last picture is STONKING!!!!
Rockwolf said:Excellent & interesting info there Buzzard, thank you! And that last picture is STONKING!!!!
Yeh, STONKING!!!
Buzzard, extremely interesting and informative facts. I will print it out and add to my file. If MarJus and John say your photograph is STONKING, who am I to argue, just know I love it.
When we lived in North Essex in the early 1980's we regularly saw kingfishers at a large pond in the middle of intensively cultivated wheat fields.
The pond had plenty of trees and shrubs around it but it certainly didn't semm to be a typical place to see Kingfishers.Nearby was a large manor house with a garden full of ornamental ponds and rills and kingfishes often appeared there too.