probably One of the best wildlife moments of my life

[vinnychameleon]

Today i decided to take my kayak down to my local river in the hope of seeing a few kingfishers skimming past. I took the binoculars in case 1 landed on a perch as i kayaked. I went further up the river and saw nothing but then just as i was about to turn back 1 flew out of a tree nearby. I saw his blue back skim upriver. Then I found a shingle bank near lots of likely looking perches and hid under the shade of a tree. I didnt expect any to come but after only a 15 minute wait a beautiful male kingfisher landed on a tree stump 20 metres from my hiding place. After a bit he began to preen himself. He continued to sit and stare at the water and then the moment i never expected occured. As i watched him through the bins he took of and hovered for about a second and dropped into the water like an arrow. He emerged with a fish and began to beat it against the branch he was sat on. I couldnt believe what i was seeing. After he had consumed this fish another kingfisher landed on a branch next to him. I couldnt believe my luck and all this 20 metres from where i was sat. The first one i saw fishing was a male the newcomer was a female and what i presume was his mate . They both sat near eachother showing off their beautiful colours when the male began fishing again. I saw him dive 12 times in total catching 3 small fish . He also coughed up one fish as i watched. As they both sat there another kingfisher flew past downstream. Then the male took off and flew past me as if he was checking me out. Then a dipper pair began foraging near the female and as they landed near her she flew at them and sent them away. I had been watching this male and female for half an hour before they both left . I really could not believe my luck and it has to be 1 of my greatest wildlife moments. Especially watching all their behaviour including the fishing and preening of the male . I am on a high and am going back to try and photograph the two . I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW LUCKY I AM !!!

[Wild-Woman]

Nice one Vinny. It's true what they say about wildlife being good for you...you've just proved it by the way you feel.

Smashing story.

jules

[Kymba]

Thats fantastic Vinny can feel you excitement via your post.. hope you get some great photo's to share with us

[Za]

Congratulations Vinny, sounds like you had a great day.Now you know where they hang out
you can get both kingfishers and dippers pics to show us

[Paul mabbott]

That's great, Vinny - everything you could need, exercise, photos and behavioural observations! Just don't tell anyone else the details or you'll have loads of kayaks clogging the river and scaring the birds off!
(Advice from an old cynic )

[vinnychameleon]

When i next go back i am also going to try and film their behaviour 1 question, do kingfishers tend to use the same perches???

[Deer Stalker]

Well done VC. Sounds like you've found a good spot there mate.

[Ollie]

Well done Vinny. It always gives me a thrill just to see a Kingfisher flash past but to see one actually diving and catching fish is something else. What a great experience for you. Hope you manage to get some photos.
Roger

[GuyF]

Lucky you, glad you had such a great day.
Guy

[JeffH]

Excellent news VC - I'm chuffed for you, especially as you've been exploring your area and waiting so long to see a Kingfisher. As they say - 'everything comes to him who waits'. By the way, the use of the kayak was a great idea

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

1 question, do kingfishers tend to use the same perches???

In answer to your question - yes they do. They are creatures of habit and probably have several favoured perching positions along the stretch of river where you saw them.

Incidentally, I note that you say you saw the male 'cough up' a fish. In fact what you probably saw was it coughing up a fishbone pellet - they do this in much the same way as Owls cough up pellets of undigested matter.

Good luck with the photos/filming

Jeff