Kingfishers In Milton Keynes?

mushypeasman · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 07:32 PM

After 20+ years of bird watching I have yet to see anything other than a blue blur. And since moving to MK 2 years ago I've not even seen that.

Does anyone have any suggestions where I might go locally to improve my chances? I live by a lake (Lodge Lake) with lots of overhanging trees so presumably I won't gave to go far.
Thanks in anticipation.

jayjay · #2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 08:43 PM

I have seen kingfishers in Milton Keynes on the Grand Union canal while travelling through on our narrowboat.

JeffH · #3 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:23 PM

Sorry mushypeasman, can't help with a specific location but the latest stats available from the RRBP (Rare Birds Breeding Panel) suggest at least 100 pairs in Buckinghamshire so there must be some around on your local waterways.

JeffH
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers and Barn Owls)

PS. Welcome to WAB by the way, and to you jayjay

Mungo · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:21 PM

Plenty around here in Herts

And welcome to WAB

eeyore · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mushypeasman

After 20+ years of bird watching I have yet to see anything other than a blue blur. And since moving to MK 2 years ago I've not even seen that.

Does anyone have any suggestions where I might go locally to improve my chances? I live by a lake (Lodge Lake) with lots of overhanging trees so presumably I won't gave to go far.
Thanks in anticipation.

I used to work for the parks trust in milton keynes and as i recall the best locations for actually seeing a kingfisher (as opposed to a blue blur) were on the loughton brook upstream of lodge lake (but downstream of the H3), on the ouzel along the woughton section (between H7 and H8), and on the GU canal arround Linford (and on the ponds at linford manor), and from the hides at the hanson centre north of Gt linford. They also nested in the sand martin bank which we built on willen island - north lake , and could be observed from the hide on the south side of the north lake.

If you call the Parks trust on 01908 233600 and speak to Wildlife officer Nicki Wheeler i'm sure she would be happy to help you further. There is also a natural history society in milton keynes which it is well worth joining if you are interested in such things. more detail here http://www.mknhs.org.uk/

Green Man · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 03:06 PM

Try Willen Lakes. I work in MK and have seen them on 3 or 4 occasions flying over the A509 which splits the lakes.

Kayleigh · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 04:28 PM

We get them in Towcester on the Silverstone stream..

mushypeasman · #8 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 05:23 PM

Thanks for all your replies, I certainly have some good leads now to keep me busy this spring. I hope to post a photo here to celebrate !!

eeyore · #9 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 09:41 PM

Further to my last post - on checking my records (and photos) I find that another good view point is on the wader scrape again from the hide at north willen , looking to the right across the scrape to the scrub on the other side. when they are there they will be within easy camera shot with a 3-400mm lense.

In the reeds and long grass to the back of the scrape you sometimes also get snipe.

i'd also note that early morning is best as once lots of people are about they tend to move further away. (And further more the hide is used by the local yoof in the evening to drink beer and smoke strange substances which isnt conducive to peaceful photography)