Best place in North West England, to see a Kingfisher

[StRoRo]

My dad has never seen a kingfisher and has wanted to get any picture of one.
I have seen one or 2 and got a few poor pictures

I live in Wigan and I have seen one around the flashes and I hear they are around Horrocks Flash a lot of the time, but I have struggled to find where without knowning more specifically.

Where in the North West of England will we have the best chance of seeing a Kingfisher? Im willing to travel to have a good opportunity.

Stuart

[Brocakat]

I've seen them in Witton Park, Blackburn and even on the Lancaster Canal -
(incidently - in Lancaster City itself ! ) .

Bound to be at other sites in The County Palatine.

[natureshooter]

Meresands wood near martin mere lancashire,not far from wigan actually.
your never guarranteed anything but i can put my life on it if you hang in rufford hide a while i think you will be pleasantly surprised,and its free

Gaz

[caernerch]

Try pennington flash or just below dam at carmill.
Good luck!
Caernerch

[Sparklebug]

I've seen one on the Rochdale Canal at Walsden (Nr. Todmorden) Thats about 20miles from Wigan isn't it?

[captaincarot]

for me it would be about 200 yards up the road (if theyr'e not around in the next 5 minutes the dippers will be), for you i'd say mere sands wood.

[JeffH]

Hi Stuart

I was born and raised in the Wigan area and saw my very first Kingfisher by the Leeds and Liverpool canal - but that was more than 50 years ago

Although I don't get up there as much as I used to I'm told that these days Mere Sands is one of the most reliable spots for Kingfishers but, as Natureshooter says, nothing is guaranteed.

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[captaincarot]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Hi Stuart

I was born and raised in the Wigan area and saw my very first Kingfisher by the Leeds and Liverpool canal - but that was more than 50 years ago

Although I don't get up there as much as I used to I'm told that these days Mere Sands is one of the most reliable spots for Kingfishers but, as Natureshooter says, nothing is guaranteed.

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

i've never been to mere sands and not seen a kingfisher

[ChrisJB]

Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale, Lancs, is pretty good from late summer and through the winter months. The nature reserve end is best. If you go at the moment though you might have to put up with a pied billed grebe in the way in your binocular view.
As Sparklebug says, the Rochdale 'cut' is pretty good too. I've seen them at various points between Castleton and Tod' (morden).

ChrisJB

[diggleken]

They do get about!
Rochdale canal in many places, including into Manchester centre from Failsworth, they seem to move along quite a lot.
All Rivers and ponds etc in various places throughout the region, basically, as everyone has said, you cant be sure, just need to keep your eyes open, but Pennington, Hollingworth lake and Mere sands I'd agree you've a very good chance.
As we move towards frozen water in the winter, they will keep to slow but moving water sites, and ponds with a good inflow that keeps them ice-free, so thats something to check out too, local to you. Bonus of water rail in those conditions too..............
Smaller ponds will also make for easier photography where they will be closer.
Good luck
Ken