Illusive Kingfisher

[Brocker]

Well, today I packed myself off for another morning of seeking out the illusive Kingfisher. As some of you will know, the last effort ended in me locking my keys in the car and being rescued by my irate Father-in-Law.
At the end of what was a lovely morning, I still am no closer to finding the Kingfisher but I still have more sites to try, including two that have been recommended as dead certs. I am looking forward to trying them next week. It was a lovely dawn with clear skies and a nip in the air. It was a little breezy though so it was a good job my AI Servo mode on the camera is a good performer.
Below are some pics I took this morning, let me know what you think. Also, could anyone identify for me the last two images. I am struggling a little as this is still quite new to me.

[Ollie]

Hi brocker, sorry you didn't find a Kingfisher but keep trying and I'm sure it will happen.

Love the Blue tit in flight shot. Your third picture is I think a male Stonechat and the fourth one is I think a Dunnock, but would wait for further replies to be dead sure.
Roger

[glsammy]

Hello Brocker. I'd agree with Roger. Stonechat and Dunnock.

It would help in future if you could make your uploads a little larger, my tired old eyes need all the help they can get!

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Brocker

... I still am no closer to finding the Kingfisher but I still have more sites to try, including two that have been recommended as dead certs. I am looking forward to trying them next week....

Sorry to hear you had no luck with the Kingfishers yesterday but keep trying - "everything comes to him who waits"

Jeff

[ron1863]

You have my sympathies. One flies past along the river at the bottom of my back garden, virtually on a daily basis but I cannot find any of it's feeding perches. Keep trying, I am

[big bill]

Hello Chris great shots the Blue Tit inflight shot is great and thelike your Stonechat which is 3rd shot and the Dunnock patience is a virtue you will get your shot in the end and when you do you will be elated just persavere and good luck

[Maccattack]

[quote=Brocker;205611]Well, today I packed myself off for another morning of seeking out the illusive Kingfisher. As some of you will know, the last effort ended in me locking my keys in the car and being rescued by my irate Father-in-Law.
At the end of what was a lovely morning, I still am no closer to finding the Kingfisher but I still have more sites to try, including two that have been recommended as dead certs. I am looking forward to trying them next week. It was a lovely dawn with clear skies and a nip in the air. It was a little breezy though so it was a good job my AI Servo mode on the camera is a good performer.
Below are some pics I took this morning, let me know what you think. Also, could anyone identify for me the last two images. I am struggling a little as this is still quite new to me.

Hi Brocker , where did you go for the stonechat ( ?Chelmer again) nice shots , that flight shot is really good . Keep up the good work

Malcolm Mac

[Brocker]

Hi Malcolm,
Yes it was the Chelmer. About 4mile west of where it meets the blackwater. I am goin to head up towards the blackwater this weekend to see what I can find up there. Hopefully a kingfisher may show. A couple of other WABers have noted them in that area....

[Jason Green]

The last is, as has been said, a dunnock, Prunella modularis

[m1.carson]

Hi,

I'm not too sure they have feeding perches, I see one or two lot's of mornings but they never seem to be in exactly the same spot, otherwise I'd creep up on them.

Had one perch on my fishing rod years ago, the fishing was that frantic.zzzzzzz.

Max.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi,

I'm not too sure they have feeding perches, I see one or two lot's of mornings but they never seem to be in exactly the same spot, otherwise I'd creep up on them.

Had one perch on my fishing rod years ago, the fishing was that frantic.zzzzzzz.

Max.

Kingfishers do have regularly used perches Max but they are also sufficiently opportunistic and adaptable to switch around between them and to drop in on any perch that might give them a good fishing opportunity. I've experimented with perches placed in different positions and at different heights above the water and they readily take to a suitable and well placed new perch.

Jeff