No Kingfisher. :-(

Dale.

Dale.

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Dale.
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This was going to be my year, after 2 years locating and observing a kingfisher site, I was getting my image. I've done the hide thing with kingfishers and it was a wonderful way to spend a day and I would do it again, I probably will later this year. I'd wanted to get our locals ones this year though, there have been a pair within a mile of home for the last 2 years that I've watched, particulalrly last year, I spent quite a bit of time, at a distance from the nest site, watching them.

The temptation was to always take the camera but I decided to wait until this year. I've also gained access through a garden with permission to observe but alas, no kingfishers this year. I'm hoping they'll make a return but I would've expected to see them by now.

I'm wondering and hoping they've just moved on but my worry is predation or an accident has beset one of them and the other has left. We have otters on the river as well as all the usual predators and I'm wondering if something like this has happened.

Hopefully they'll show, but no sign yet, back to dippers, of which abound, it is then.
 
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Last month I was planning to visit a reserve in Suffolk renowned for kingfishers. I visited last year on route to Minsmere and managed to get some good shots in the hour I was there. This year I called before I went was was told they had no kingfishers due to the harsh winter and the beast from the east. Hopefully they will return soon.
 
Archie747 said:
Last month I was planning to visit a reserve in Suffolk renowned for kingfishers. I visited last year on route to Minsmere and managed to get some good shots in the hour I was there. This year I called before I went was was told they had no kingfishers due to the harsh winter and the beast from the east. Hopefully they will return soon.
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This might shine some light on the situation, it was a severe winter.

I've looked now since February, probably an 8 mile stretch of the river and small stream tributaries and no sign whatsoever. :(
 
Our local one has only just hatched after the first nest burrow was squashed by a passing tractor mounted grass cutter. When the female is on eggs you sometimes have to wait an hour or more before one comes into view.
 
Very few sightings on my river, whereas last year, I saw three mating pairs on a mile stretch.
 
Archie747 said:
Last month I was planning to visit a reserve in Suffolk renowned for kingfishers. I visited last year on route to Minsmere and managed to get some good shots in the hour I was there. This year I called before I went was was told they had no kingfishers due to the harsh winter and the beast from the east. Hopefully they will return soon.
Click to expand...

Struggling in Norfolk also, been to a place where friends have seen them for years but no signs what so ever, maybe the beast from east has had an effect unfortunately
 
The BTO's BirdTrack reporting figures do show them down on the historical average.

oCX3RDB.png



birdTrack
 
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I take it back, I saw 2 today, not at my usual site but a 20 minute drive then a 5 mintue walk from home. Had my 6 year old Daughter in tow, not expecting to see them (I'd heard about them a while ago) but glad I checked the site out now.

Come on Saturday. ;-)
 
6 sightings today at 2 different sites (1 same site from Tuesday), at least 3 different birds. Happy days, now hopefully to get access to where I need to be.
 
Well, today is a good day.

I'd not given up on the 2 other 'new' sites but I've just struggled lately to invest the time that it would take for various reasons.

Today though, out for a walk with my 6 year old near the very local site that used to have kingfishers at it. Well, there's one there today, we both saw it, now to get a recce done and go from there. 5 minutes walk from my front door. :banana::beer:
 
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