2 questions??

[vinnychameleon]

Hi all 2 questions. No1 do Kingfishers often hunt in river estuarys if they have overhanging trees on either side? No2 is last year I had a pair of hobbys i saw a few times in my local area last year and have not seen them at all this year do you think they have gone somewhere else or are they just secretive. If it helps I live in farmland with scattered woodland and have a stream running through. Thanks

[GuyF]

I think that some Kingfishers head towards the coast (probably estuaries as well) in winter to hunt, so they'd be more likely to be seen there from September onwards. But if they're breeding a little way up the river then they may well visit in breeding season as well if there's good fishing.
As for the Hobbies, it's quite possible that they've just found a different area to breed. But they may be around, if you find an area nearby with lots of swallows or dragonflies and wait, maybe at dusk or early in the day, then if Hobbies are around they could well come and hunt.
Guy

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

No1 do Kingfishers often hunt in river estuarys if they have overhanging trees on either side? Thanks

Indeed they do. I certainly see them on the Orwell estuary in the winter, between October and February there can be up to half a dozen along a 10 mile stretch - at high tide they fish along the river wall, at low tide along the dykes draining the grazing marshes.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

Hi all 2 questions. No1 do Kingfishers often hunt in river estuarys if they have overhanging trees on either side?

As GuyF and Tursiops2 have already confirmed, they certainly do.

In fact, during some of the really cold winters of years ago apparently there were reports of "flocks" of Kingfishers moving down some frozen rivers towards the sea in search of fish.

Also, on Boxing Day one year in the late 1970s I was birding in Morecambe Bay with a friend on what was one of the coldest days I've ever experienced and with the sea frozen in places. What did we see amongst the thousands of waders? - a Kingfisher flying low along the edge of the tide

Jeff

[vinnychameleon]

cheers guys Is it only in winter they hunt there or are they there all year round??

[JeffH]

It's mainly Winter, though you might get the odd Juvenile or 'unattached' adult bird there during the rest of the year if they've been driven downriver by breeding pairs which become very territorial during the breeding season (from Feb to October).

Any more luck with the birds you spotted on the river recently?

Jeff

[vinnychameleon]

Thanks Jeff and Yes I saw 7 more when i went up last friday . They were only in flight though as the river was flowing too fast due to heavy rain. I am determined to get photos of them and am confident i can manage as i know they commonly use the perch and have an area to sit where they are not bothered by me so i will keep you informed

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

Thanks Jeff and Yes I saw 7 more when i went up last friday . They were only in flight though as the river was flowing too fast due to heavy rain. I am determined to get photos of them and am confident i can manage as i know they commonly use the perch and have an area to sit where they are not bothered by me so i will keep you informed

7 !!! Good stuff VC, but you be careful in your kayak if the river is high and fast flowing

Jeff

[vinnychameleon]

Yes i will thanks Jeff I am planning to go up with the camera this sunday so will let you all know how i get on with that.