Kingfisher near to home

Chas · #1 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 09:23 PM

I was very lucky at the end of September, to discover a Kingfisher territory on a little brook that flows through the trading estate very close to my home. I have a chair hide and it seems like I have been sat in it for literally hours and hours. It really has been worth it because with a bit of thought and planning I have managed to get a few hundred photos, some very close. At times he has perched on the hide to fish from which is both funny and frustrating! The brook has very few tree branches for him to perch on so I reasoned that if I placed I few in strategic places, in good light, then he would come to perch there. it worked like magic! I realised that he needed this solid surface to beat his prey before swallowing it. So far I have photographed him with a stickleback, several minnows, a Common Newt, a Loach and a Dragonfly Larvae. On one day a female perched for her photo which was a big surprise, and this morning, while watching the male I heard another Kingfisher in the distance which sent him in to a rage or so it seemed. The daily encounter with this Kingfisher has been really special and one of my most enjoyable and rewarding wildlife experiences, all in the middle of suburbia with the constant hum of traffic and pedestrians nearby. When he lands in front of me he will try his luck for a catch and then spend minutes preening himself and diving in and out to bathe. If you google search "Wildlife in a Suburban Garden" you can read more and see lots more photos on my daily blog.

JeffH · #2 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Careful Chas - this could become an obsession

Nice photo by the way

Jeff

PS. Too late! I've just checked out your blog and you're already addicted

And a 'Kingfisher Diary' too - now there's an idea

Chas · #3 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 10:33 PM

I have to admit that I have always looked at your diaries and been as envious as hell. But once you get it sussed so to speak it is amazing how accommodating they can be if you are hidden and quiet. Didn't really steal your idea "diary" but couldn't think of a better way to describe my "obsession'. so now you are here. Tell me, do you think that last bird on my blog is a juvenile, he has dark patches on his legs?
I will be there again before dawn because if you disturb him, then forget it for a couple of hours. Also, I am sure that he is more active early on as he probably needs to eat and he seems to patrol up and down his patch. He definitely brings his catch back to the branches in front of my hide to deal with his prey but at other times is quite happy to perch on soft foliage. The loach he had this morning was enormous!

FUDGEY · #4 (**permalink**) 23-10-2009, 10:20 AM

Join the club Chas, its Jeff to blame for me getting so deep into them

Ive spent over 100 hours in my hide in the last few weeks, need my fix every day. My fiancee thinks Im working, but Im not

Its so addictive, even when its bad light for photographing I still sit and observe. Jeffs diary was an inspiration, in fact I must read it again if I can find it, better than any book I have ever read

FUDGEY · #5 (**permalink**) 23-10-2009, 10:21 AM

Really good pic btw

JeffH · #6 (**permalink**) 25-10-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Join the club Chas, its Jeff to blame for me getting so deep into them

Ive spent over 100 hours in my hide in the last few weeks, need my fix every day. My fiancee thinks Im working, but Im not

Its so addictive, even when its bad light for photographing I still sit and observe. Jeffs diary was an inspiration, in fact I must read it again if I can find it, better than any book I have ever read

Thanks for the kind words Fudgey but when your fiancee eventually catches you out DON'T BLAME ME

By the way, my original Kingfisher Diary is here -

Kingfisher Diary (with photos)

and the 2009 version here -

KINGFISHER DIARY 2009 (with photos)

That reminds me, I must add the final chapter for 2009 soon

.

Jeff