The Kingfisher pair on the River Cole moved nest. They mated opposite and were visiting one next a few weeks back but then disappeared. I found them just a short distance away at a new nest location. I saw them both by and entering the nest. It's quite interesting how quickly they disappear from the nest and how tricky it is to spot them. A good nest location. The same is true on the two Kingfisher nest locations on the River Rea. One is impossible to view or see the kingfisher entering. You can only see them fly to it down the river valley, hidden by trees and bushes. The other Kingfisher nest further along the Rea is also very well positioned so you can't see it. I can only see the Kingfisher fly into the bank. They don't stop anywhere by the nest. They fly in, feed the young and then fly off. So I ventured further along the river thinking I would have more chance of seeing them at their favorite fishing location. Luckily, I not only found their fishing location but I also found them checking out a new nest location. They would stop in a tree over the river, whilst I assume one of them went into the nest. They would call each other, stop in the same tree and then fly off together. I assume to go and feed the young at the other nest. Then one of them would creep back and sit in the tree, hanging around nest two. Not sure if this is checking out the nest location is quiet. Or just having a rest. I also noted when they called each other, one of the kingfisher was a lot louder. I thought this was the male but when I looked at my unclear photo, it could be the female. Which I would be surprised by. All exciting stuff though as they fly up and down.
I also had the same Kingfisher excitement in Essex. I've found a few Kingfisher locations. There's Warren Fishery and Stanford Warren at Stanford-le-Hope, At this location they can be seen flying around and calling all over the area but the nest seems to be on the Wharf fishing lake this year. I can hear them calling from there and whenever they fly over the other fishing lakes they always then head off back to this lake. There might be more then one pair as I've seen them flying along the creek on Stanford Warren. At Chafford Gorge, there is Kingfisher flying and calling everywhere. I can only guess there are a couple pairs present. Other observers on BTO have reported a few kingfisher. As I walk or run around Chafford Gorge, Kingfisher are on and fly along all the lake areas and then take short cuts across the grassland in the middle to get to the lakes on the opposite side. All good stuff.
The other areas are the Mar dyke next to Davy Down which is quite open and long and the kingfisher can be found somewhere along this stretch. The final area I will concentrate on for fledglings along with Chafford Gorge is the Ingrebourne NR. The grass and nettles are getting long on the river bank so it's difficult to see. But are there a few open viewing points to look from. Then there is the added bonus of a Barn Owl, which I've now seen twice and Heron and a pair of Little Egret along this stretch. Great stuff!
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