Kingfishers on Mon/Brecon Canal ?

[ryanandbethan]

I was walking the dog this morning about 8am along the usual stretch of the Mon/Brecon Canal when a vivid flash of blue on a small-ish bird streaked past. The only thing I can think of that this might be is a Kingfisher ?

It was traveling very fast and I only had a very quick glimpse. The colour was striking a real vivid shiny blue. Very fast wing beats and about the size of a starling ? It flew away then into the wood on one of the banks of the canal.

Could this be a Kingfisher ? I have been walking this same stretch of the canal for over 10 years and have never seen one before ?

Even if I did have my camera I wouldn't have been able to take a photo
Any thoughts from the experts ?

[Johnny81]

A flash of electric blue over water can only be a kingfisher Seen it many times over the river Nene near me, but still to this day never seen one at rest...

[JeffH]

No doubt about it - Kingfisher - nothing else compares

And what you saw is probably the most common view that most people get of a Kingfisher - a flash of blue as the bird flies past/away. It's also one of the most difficult views to photograph!

Look out for it on your future walks and, in particular, listen out for its distinctive piping call, often made in flight.

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

[Bovine]

I often see them near to the canal car park in Gilwern. Undoubtedly kingfishers.