Simply a brilliant experience

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2009, 09:17 PM

Well after the Robin stealing all my minnows this morning I went up and made a deeper pool and put 10 minnows in. I then went away for half an hour & checked my minnow traps. I then came straight back in hide causing minimal disturbance. Got in hide & set everything up and when I zoomed and looked through finder I noticed there were no minnows in the wee pool. I had a jar with another 25 in so I went out and put 20 in deep pool and 5 in the "Robin pool" which is right beside it. Well with in a minute the female Kingy began its assault. Constant dives into both pools then the male joined. What a carry on I had, didnt know what pool to point at nor what bird was coming in from where. The male cleared off once "the Robin" pool was empty, but the female stayed for the next two hours solid. Usually one comes every 2 hours for 5mins then dissapears. What a show she put on and at one point she landed on the ground for 10mins and just stood there staring at the minnows. Eventually she flew up a foot and nabbed another one. I think she was bamboozled as the minnows were beaching themselves at her feet, she never touched them funnily enough. By the end there was only 6 minnows left so she ate loads. Got plenty shots, but poor light and could only get 160th of a sec. Not dissapointed though as I now know how easy I can get them diving continuosly. Just a case of a nice day and I think I will get some cracking shots. Ive been thinking tonight that im also going to set camera up on remote (when I get it)facing me as im lying on the groundxewith my face beside the pool. Ill cover myself with my bag hide and peek out. I know im mental, but I love itxe

FUDGEY · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2009, 09:24 PM

One thing I noticed I have never seen before was everytime the male appeared the female went rigid. Once on the perch it put it's body straight right along the perch and stayed like that until the male fled. Is this a warning, it also did it on the ground. I'll put pics up tomoz but they are not great. Can anyone shed some light on this behaviour?

JeffH · #3 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

One thing I noticed I have never seen before was everytime the male appeared the female went rigid. Once on the perch it put it's body straight right along the perch and stayed like that until the male fled. Is this a warning, it also did it on the ground. I'll put pics up tomoz but they are not great. Can anyone shed some light on this behaviour?

It's a threat posture - a sign of aggression. Whenever you get two Kingfishers (male or female and even if they're a breeding pair) in close proximity outside the breeding season you can expect one or possibly both birds to do this. It may be followed by actual violence

Jeff

FUDGEY · #4 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 10:10 AM

Tyvm Jeff, I never knew that. Especially with a breeding pair. I wonder why that is? Are there any other bird species that act in this way? You would think breeding pairs would be happy in each others company.

Stinky Bob · #5 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Are there any other bird species that act in this way? You would think breeding pairs would be happy in each others company.

Thats exactly how the OH behaves when I get too near to her maltezers

Ferret · #6 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Lots of birds are aggressive to there former partners outside of the breeding season as they are quite often in direct competition for food, a breeding partner is no good to you if you don’t survive to the next breeding season. the best example I can think of is the Robin, they form separate winter territory’s and are know to fight over them ferociously maybe with there former partner.

Ferret

Ashling · #7 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 10:31 AM

Sounds like a superb experience fudgey - even better as you have the chance to repeat it. Have you considered using flash to freeze the movement as 1/160th will never do it. In fact I think you might still get blur with 1/1000th... You certainly have the opportunity to get good results with this superb set up - best of luck!

FUDGEY · #8 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 11:13 AM

Bright day today and Im just going this minute, think I will get well over 1000th of a sec today, ill let yous know how I get on. Flash might have to be purchased if it doesnt work out today, thanks.

Ashling · #9 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 06:23 PM

Hope you got good results today Fudgey. Remember, flash not only freezes movement but allows you to increase depth of field and can fill in the deep shadows created on bright days. Look forward to seeing your results!

FUDGEY · #10 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 06:38 PM

Bad day I'm afraid. The last 3 times I've been up it's been dull and poor photography conditions and they have been there constantly. Around 100 dives in my pool. Today I tried a different approach as it was good light. Camera set up 4ft from pool and camoflagued and I was lying face down on the gravel with my bag hide over me. I had a small mirror and my remote in hand so I could see it when it landed on the perch and went for the dive. 2hours later and it never landed! I heard it a few times so it was there. I think they must have been wary of the set up. Plan B will have to be thought up. Did see a water rail fir the second day in a row so that was a bonus. Only the 3rd time I've ever seen one. Yesterday I witnessed a sparrowhawk just missing the kingy by inches, it had to dive in the water to avert death. The hawk turned landed on perch then dropped into the water & had a bath 8ft from me. First time I've ever seen a BoP doing that. I'm loving it up there, can't get enough. Also got a not bad picture of the Rail, but just one of hawk bathing as camera was pointing out of a hole I couldn't view it from. Slowly pulled it out then put back in another hole. One pic & it flew off as she finished her bath.