Kingfisher Diary (with photos)

[Ollie]

Another nice report again Jeff with lovely photos. I'm sure that diving shot is only a matter of time
Roger

[fulhamphil]

HI JEFF, just read your diaries, great stuff, makes me even more determined to get my shots of the kingfisher, put me down for a book. By the way your garden sounds like a mini paradise.

[juliejam]

Ive just read your update's to the Diary...great stuff..Some lovely shots too...The Kingfisher has always been my Favorite..saw one out fishing earlier this yr..but no chance of a pic for me..I dont need to tell you know how lucky you are to have this all going on right on your door step..


Julie

[forevergreen]

Nice photos.Im pretty jealous I like kingfishers alot but they are very shy around my area and fly away. Good luck with getting more photos for your story to im looking forward

[wwatling]

Jeff, thanks for the great update & new photos. I genuinely hope your personal issues are behind you & wish you all the best for the New Year.

As it's difficult to be at the hide during critical moments, have you considered a Bushnell Trail Scout camera? It triggers itself when something walks/flies by & can take photos or short video clips. It stores them on SD cards that can be swapped later & then checked when convenient. Alternatively you could consider a wireless motion activated video camera that feeds in to your video recorder & allows you to see the footage when you get home. They can work up to 300 metres away, so depending on how far away your house is from the hide, it might not be practical. They're under £150 on ebay.

I look forward to seeing your barn owl diary soon!

[JeffH]

Many thanks to all posters for your kind and encouraging words following my update of 28th December - as always, your comments are very much appreciated.

In particular -

Graham (glsammy) - you must have eyes like a hawk Graham Thank you so much for the Neat Image tip - I've now got the full package and have been playing around with some of my old shots. It's a superb bit of software.

Ian (Harimau1610) - Sadly the mossy perch is looking a bit dried out now as it's been up for several months. I originally got the idea from Wildlife Pro Ben Hall with whom I spent a day last summer - if you haven't already seen it check out his mossy perch shot on his website home page -

Ben Hall - home page

mrs fish - I got the background by setting the perch in a position backing onto some orange dogwoods in the distance. Quite effective isn't it.

fulhamphil - keep trying Phil, you'll get one in the end and yes we're very lucky to have quite a good-sized garden with an unusually wide range of wildlife visitors.

William (wwatling) - thanks for the remote camera suggestions William - that's a great idea. Unfortunately I'm afraid the site isn't sufficiently secluded to be sure that such a camera will still be there the next day! As for the Barn Owl diary - as they say, 'watch this space'.

Finally, the Kingfishers continue to visit our ponds on a regular basis - one usually lands on a perch just as I've sat down by the patio doors with a cup of tea and some toast Needless to say, no diving shots yet - you'll be the first to know when I get one

Thanks again to all concerned

Jeff

[JeffH]

UPDATE (17th February 2008)

As it’s more than 6 weeks since my last update and we’re now in mid-February already (isn’t it scary how the time flies by ) I thought I’d let you know what’s been happening with our local Kingfishers.

It’s been a bit of a mix of good and bad news in recent weeks, but hopefully nothing too disastrous for the forthcoming breeding season.

Let’s start with the bad news – a couple of weeks ago I had a walk round to the nest site area only to find that my on-site hide had been vandalised , with one of the sides partly torn open and a stool (which I kept in the hide) plus several perches having been scattered about in some dead nettles. Not a big deal really – I certainly won’t lose any sleep over it - and with no obvious motive I’ve put it down to mindless vandalism by some cretin with nothing better to do.

In fact I was far more troubled to find that after the winter rains the water level surrounding the nest site island was at least 15 – 18 inches higher than I have seen it before and was actually above the level of the nesting hole used to successfully rear last year’s brood. It had also risen to within a foot or so of the top of the newly created section of vertical banking I mentioned in an earlier post, and if the water remains at this level this stretch of banking will be unusable by the birds. However, there remains more than enough higher level banking available for them, including a section they’ve used several times in the past, so I’m not too concerned about the situation at this stage though I would hope the water level drops a little before nesting begins.

As for the birds themselves, until today - more on that later - my wife and I hadn’t seen much of them in the garden for the last 2 or 3 weeks (though that doesn’t mean they haven’t been of course), and as I’ve had reports of a couple of nearby sightings by a farmer friend I remained reasonably confident of their continued presence in the area.

As the forecast for this morning was for a fine, bright but cold and frosty start I decided to go round to the nest site area again to take some sunrise shots and to experiment with my new set of polarising and ND graduated filters. I was round there soon after 6.30am and although it was already getting light the sun was not yet up. The temperature was minus 5 and almost the entire area of water surrounding the nest site was covered in ice.

Such weather is obviously bad news for Kingfishers but I was relieved to catch a glimpse of one of the birds flying along the edge of the water towards an ice-free section in which some 15 Moorhens and several Mallards were swimming – rather them than me .

That was the only Kingfisher sighting I had in nearly two hours at the site, though I did have the pleasure of watching a beautiful sunrise and here’s one of my shots showing the rising sun reflecting across the ice –



I also met my farmer friend walking his dog and was delighted to be told about a newly discovered Badger sett less than 50 metres away from the Kingfisher nest site. There are several well-established Badger setts around our village but this is the nearest to my home and on my way back I checked it out. Sure enough, there were signs of recent activity with lots of fresh bedding having been drawn around the entrances. I shall keep an eye on this sett and perhaps spend an evening or two Badger watching .

On returning home, by this time with very cold hands and feet, I settled down on the settee near a patio window overlooking our garden with a nice hot cup of tea and a bacon roll. Within minutes the female Kingfisher appeared on a perch by the pond but stayed only a few seconds, having probably spotted my wife and me by the window.

However, as my ponds are relatively ice-free I was confident she’d be back and so quickly set up my camera in readiness. Sure enough, she was back a little later and spent 20 minutes or so watching for fish but with only one (unsuccessful) dive being made. I did manage to get quite a few shots of her but all through the double-glazing as it was still far too cold to open a window. She’s been back again at least a couple of times since and, hopefully, has managed to catch a fish or two.

I always like to include a few photos in my updates so here’s a few shots - all taken in the garden, with some from this morning (including a very poor effort to catch her hovering) plus a couple from Autumn of last year –









Finally, within the next 2 or 3 weeks and providing this very cold weather doesn’t persist for too long, I hope to be able to report that the male and female are paired up again in their nesting territory – fingers crossed .

Jeff

[Bub-les]

Brill. I have never seen a kingfisher. There are some on the Island but its a closely guarded secret where they are as there are so few. It must be wonderful to have them visiting your garden lucky you!
Barbara

[aeshna5]

Sorry to hear about the mindless vandalism Jeff!

I've not seen a Kingfisher yet this year + it's obviously a bit tough when the water freezes; the good news for them is that it's turning much milder mid-week.

Enjoyable photos as ever!

[stephen p]

Thats a shame about the hide Jeff, i hate things like that!!

Lets hope the water level drop and dont rise.

Cracking photos like always Jeff

Regards,

Stephen

[John]

Shame about the vandalism Jeff but nice to see that it hasn't phased you.

As usual an excellent, well written report and like the others I am looking forward to hopefully seeing them take up residence again.

John

[glsammy]

A good update Jeff.
I'll look forward to hear from you again, I hope the Kingfishers manage to settle in successfully this year.

[Nicola Main]

Thanks for the update Jeff and sorry to hear about your hide. I really do hope the water level drops and the Kingfishers nest in it again. Look forward to more updates

[HARIMAU1610]

Enjoyable update Jeff with some nice photos considering you where inside behind double glazing. I watched my local kingfishers re-aquaint themselves last week magical stuff. Looking forward to seeing the next few reports.

Ian

[HARIMAU1610]

Sorry Jeff that sounded terrible I meant enjoyable to read an update but not enjoyable to read about the vandalism..I think you know what I mean.

Ian

[rlchew]

Thanks for the latest update Jeff.

I hope you and the Kingfishers enjoy a successful spring.

Sorry to hear about the mindless vandalism of your hide. I am sure you will carry on regardless .... you have to, WAB expects .

Richard

[PMG]

Not been on here much recently (work and family and photography keep taking me away) but I've sat and read this thread from start to finish - with relish - keep the news coming - you're in a unique position to observe the kingfishers goings on - you lucky person you

Pauline

[JeffH]

UPDATE (24th February 2008)

THEY’RE BACK

Although my last update was only a week ago and ended with the comment “…within the next 2 or 3 weeks ….. I hope to be able to report that the male and female are paired up again.....” I’m delighted (and a little surprised) to be able report that both birds are now re-established in their nesting territory – some 2 weeks earlier than last year.

But what a difference a day makes – on Saturday I decided to check out the nest site area for signs of activity but was so confident of not seeing much that I didn’t even bother taking my camera (as many of you know, that’s usually a sure-fire way of seeing something worth photographing ). I was round there by about 6.45am and within about 10 minutes had a brief sighting of the female as she perched for a few seconds on a protruding root near one of their old nest holes. However, she was gone in seconds and I had no further sightings despite being there for about an hour, though I made good use of the time by repairing (perhaps even improving) my recently vandalised on-site hide. I then had a walk around 3 other nearby small ponds within the territory but neither saw nor heard anything of the birds.

On returning home at about 8.25am I went round the garden re-filling my bird feeders and also transferred a few small fish from my stock pond to my large pond, just to make sure there’s enough in there to keep the Kingfishers interested. Wouldn’t you know it – as I was sat down eating my breakfast some 15 minutes later I looked up and just caught a glimpse of a Kingfisher about to fly off from one of my pond perches with a fish. Feeling sure that it would be back for more I quickly went to set up my camera/tripod near a window in our garden room but it returned whilst I was still doing this and obviously saw me before I saw it and flew off again - I didn’t see it again all day .

As the local weather forecast was for a bright sunny morning I decided to go round to the nest site again yesterday. I was round there by 6.50am (this time with my camera gear) and as I approached I heard lots of very loud calling with one bird flying in circles at tree top height around the area, calling all the time. Within about 20 minutes I had seen two birds together – they were clearly very excited with lots of flying around and calling still going on. Then at 7.40am a 3rd bird appeared – at one point the pair were sat together on one of my perches calling loudly at the other bird (a 2nd female) as it sat in a small tree some 6 metres away – see photo



Then both birds flew across to the tree to join the intruding female, still calling loudly, but within seconds they dispersed. I did manage to get a single hurried shot of the 3 of them briefly together and, though I’m almost ashamed to show it , here it is – my apologies for the very poor quality but you can just about make out the 2 females playing book-ends and in very aggressive posture on either side of the tree trunk, with the male a partly obscured blob of colour in the background to the right. I’ll try to do better next time.



I stayed on site for about another 90 minutes with lots more sightings of the pair together but I didn’t see the 3rd bird again. Both male and female were observed checking out one of their old nest holes in the higher section of banking mentioned in my last update so I don’t think they’re too bothered about the higher than normal water level.

Within minutes of my returning home the female appeared on one of my pond perches again – just like yesterday (I’m beginning to think this bird has started following me ) - but this time I had my camera gear ready within seconds and got several more shots of her. She made 3 failed dives for fish before flying off.

Here’s a few more (rather better) photos from yesterday –









Finally, many thanks to Bub-les; aeshna5; stephenp; John; Graham (glsammy); Nicola Main; Ian (harimau1610); Richard (richew) and Pauline (PMG) for your kind words in response to last week’s update.

I’ll keep you informed of further developments.

Jeff

[John]

Oh boy, they're back and it all starts again Jeff.

I'm so glad they have come back as it now means that the diary continues.

Let's hope the pair are successful again this year and we get to see more quality photos of the pair & their offspring.

John

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by JeffH

THEY’RE BACK

No wonder you are pleased!

Jeff .... I have said it before but you are so lucky having all this going on around you.

The story continues .... I am sure we all look forward to how it develops this year.

Richard

[Bub-les]

Brill
enjoyed the update.
Loved the last photo
You are sooo lucky

[pressld2]

Excellent news, Jeff! And some more cracking photos too, that last one is a real gem.

Dave P.

[HARIMAU1610]

Good stuff Jeff

Ian

[PMG]

Well thats alll great news Jeff tho I laughed at the bit where it saw you setting up and flew off ............ I spotted 5 frogs heads all poking out of my pond yesterday - all calling with throats bubbling - all facing the same way and all wearing the same 'anxious' expression ..... 'anyone seen a female' you could almost hear them asking Needless to say I missed this with the camera and despite keep looking today between jobs - only two have bobbed up and just as quickly bobbed back down - before hubby could even get to the conservatory door - let alone open it and step outside - they must have cracking eyesight

Keep us posted Jeff - while we go ever so slightly green with envy

Pauline

[aeshna5]

Pleased the're back- fingers crossed for a successful season!