kingfishers of nottingham

[martynhudson]

hey guy, was just wondering if anyone knows of any good kingfisher spots in and around nottingham.

thanks

[glsammy]

Loads of areas have them. Getting good sightings of them is another matter entirely. As they're a protected species I'd be reluctant to give nesting site details, not that I know of any..
However you can catch sight of them at most of the main public parks, Rufford, Clumber, Attenbourgh, Kings Mill Reservoir for starters.

[martynhudson]

ah thanks, ill get looking

[thebeard]

i'd echo what graham has said. i've only actually seen 3 in notts over the past year. once over the trent near beeston weir down river from attenborough, 1 on coneries pond at attenborough (flying near island to the left and rear of the visitor centre) and a very brief sighting at colwick park

[nigel_b]

I think I'd stop short of "anywhere near water" but you'll get the idea. They need a good, strong, regular food supply like all things. They are very territorial and might command quite a long stretch of river. Given the colour they can be surprisingly hard to see when facing you. They often whistle just before departing or landing.

I've often seen one here coming low (3, 4 foot or so) and straight down the middle of the river. You don't pick up the blue until they've shot past, tending to look quite brown and plain as they fly towards you.

Keep your eyes open!

[glsammy]

One of the best ever sightings I had was when we went on a river trip from Newark. On one trip we saw no less than four separate sightings, with one bird flying parallel with us for some considerable distance. Made the boat trip well worth while.

[anjela]

Hi, I was lucky enough to spot a kingfisher today at kings mill reservoir and watched it for around 20 mins beautiful bird I was so excited I thought id share it wlth you all! I was also lucky enough so see a barn owl in flight on a walk near bakewell in the summer Im new to nature and loving it

[JeffH]

Welcome to WAB anjela

Those are two nice sightings you've had - in fact, my two favourite birds.

May you enjoy many more

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

[Leanne_W]

The River Erewash and also the Erewash Canal run a few hundred yards away from me and I very often see kingfishers along there when i'm walking my dogs.

The best view I had was when I was walking along the towpath and a kingfisher was keeping alongside me on the opposite bank.

[darrenm]

Colwick Park can be a good place and the Trent close by and had good views in the last few weeks there. Good luck with your search