kingfisher photography

[kieran]

Hi I am a young photographer based nr Lymington Hampshire and would like to photograph a kingfisher close up does anyone know of any in this area?

I have heard Wimbourne has one somewhere

many thanks

Kieran

[Beekeeper]

Hi kieran and welcome to WAB.

Firstly i am just down the road from you in Brockenhurst, i did know of one Kingfisher very local to me but haven't seen him or her for over a year now, but i would suggest you take a walk along the Lymington river in the Portmore area, it is usually very quite there as it is not frequented by many people due to being a bit inaccessible in places, you may be lucky to get a shot or two.

Other than that, there are of course numerous rivers across the forest and any of them may be host to some Kingfishers, sorry i can't give you any definite info but these birds are very elusive.

Ian

[nigel_b]

Hi kieran, choose any stretch of quiet waterway where you can safely park and take a walk along the river bank. If you're lucky you might catch a blue flash streaking past. Good luck being able to photograph them though.

I was at the visitors' car park, Hengistbury Head last year when one was showing well in the reeds. I went back this year on-spec but all quiet. Jeff'll remind you shortly of the requirement for a schedule 1 licence to photograph kingfishers near their nest.

[briar rose]

I'm not in your area, but the other day I was wondering along the local river when something took my eye, it was a Kingfisher, I did manage to get a few pics of it sat on a branch with it catch, but it was too far away to get a decent shot, I made myself comfortable and sat for a good hour and half waiting for it's return, it flew by a couple of times, but it didn't land in my eye shot again, but now I know where to go, I'll be back, but I wont be wearing a bright pink T-shirt next time

My advice from a newbie to Kingfisher photography is be very, very patient, my first photo of a Kingfisher was a blue blur that could have been anything, my second was a blurred pic, but you can definitely see it's a Kingfisher, my next could be a perfect shot, or not lol.

Good luck