Kingfishers?!?

[joelhenderrox]

I live in carmarthenshire and i am desperate to get a photograph of a kingfisher, where is the best place to go?

[NicolaB]

WWT Llanelli is a good bet Try the Michael Powell Hide, or the new one (the name escapes me at the moment) in the newer millennium wetland end of the reserve.

There are also several pairs on the River Tywi, but they're hard to get close to as the access is mainly restricted to anglers. You also need a licence to photograph them at the nest.

My (only) good shot of one was at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, although it's a fair drive from Carmarthenshire, they're fairly approachable there.

[wizzo]

You'll be hard pressed to find any right now. The Kingfisher suffered greatly due to the recent hard winter. With that in mind, you really need to be very carefull to avoid nest sights. Not only are you liable to disturb, what is, quite a rare bird at the moment, you could end up in hot water with the law. As Nicola says....a nature reserve is your best bet. Good luck! Wizzo

[nigel_b]

Walk any stretch of waterway and you're likely to see one if you keep your eyes open. Blink and they're gone though. Then you'll need a long lens plus probably a hide and loads of patience. Oh, and as already said you'll have to keep away from nesting sites so as not to disturb the bird and potentially break the law.

[Chas]

Check my website here, there is all the information you may need.
Wildlife in a Suburban Garden

[JeffH]

Staying away from Kingfisher nest sites is certainly good advice but, of course, whenever you're in the kind of habitat that Kingfishers tend to occupy it's not always easy to know whether or not you're near a nest!

Do please also bear in mind that it's not just "intentional" disturbance at/near the nest that is unlawful (without the necessary licence) but also "reckless" disturbance. In effect, this means that anyone deliberately going out looking for Kingfishers who stumbles across a nest site and causes disturbance to the birds (perhaps unwittingly) may be guilty of a criminal offence

As has already been said, to avoid any such difficulties it's probably best to stick to public hides on nature reserves known to have Kingfishers

My own WAB 'Kingfisher Diary (with photos)' also contains information about the habits and behaviour of these birds which you may find useful - see here - Kingfisher Diary (with photos)

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

[joelhenderrox]

Originally Posted by NicolaB

WWT Llanelli is a good bet Try the Michael Powell Hide, or the new one (the name escapes me at the moment) in the newer millennium wetland end of the reserve.

There are also several pairs on the River Tywi, but they're hard to get close to as the access is mainly restricted to anglers. You also need a licence to photograph them at the nest.

My (only) good shot of one was at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, although it's a fair drive from Carmarthenshire, they're fairly approachable there.

Thanks nicola i have heard about this place, i will have to get down there ASAP! and i will have to becareful of nests it sounds like a pretty strict law

[minar]

Peter Scott hide in wetlands llanelli spotted a pair there but missed the shot last week.

[MJM]

I've had good success this year at the Teifi Marshes Reserve, Cilgerran (Cardigan Wildlife Centre). Not very far away from Carmarthenshire. Try the appropriately named Kingfisher Hide.
Martin

[NicolaB]

Peter Scott hide in wetlands llanelli

That's the new hide I was thinking of!! Thanks for that! That one or Michael Powell are the two I've seen them at fairly regularly.

And yes, I agree that Cilgerran is good too, there's a fair chance of seeing otters on the Teifi as well