Sunday 24 February 2019

Birmingham River Cole Kingfisher

Sunday 24th February.
It had already been a good weekend for Kingfisher again, with Kingfisher on the Cole, Rea and Bourn Brook but I thought I'd have another look on the River Cole as I was up early.
There was really dense fog. I could only see a few metres in front.
At the River Cole I thought this might work in my favour as the Kingfisher would not be able to see me lol.
I chose my spot well and was dead lucky with my timing as only a few minutes later a Kingfisher flew along the river and stopped right opposite me.
I was not ready with my camera though and didn't think it would work in the fog.
Then to my surprise there was another Kingfisher. They called to each other, they flew along the river together and they sat together.
One of them was also flying up and around and went past my head a couple times.
With that I thought I best try for a photo.
Bingo! One of the Kingfisher flew in again and landed opposite me.
I took a single shot and got a photo.
Great to see a pair of Kingfisher on the River Cole again!


Monday 18 February 2019

Birmingham Kingfisher February 2019

Friday 15th February, I'd read reports of Kingfisher activity during the week at Ryemeads and Slimbridge so was looking forward to some in Birmingham.
I first checked out the Bourn Brook and there was a surprise Little Egret on the new flood defence plain.
Then I saw a Kingfisher on the Bourn Brook opposite the new flood plain.
Funny I'd always wondered why a Kingfisher had not used this section of the brook more, as there are plenty of trees and branches overhanging the brook.
No sooner than that Kingfisher disappeared another one appeared so I knew there was a pair. And one of them was calling.
I then saw one of them fly under the blue bridge.
I then saw them sat together in a tree over the brook. My first pair of 2019.
They then flew up and down a few times calling. I think though with their calling they attracted a Sparrowhawk who flew under one of the footbridges and along the brook.
A surprise to see a bird that size go under a footbridge and fly along the brook.
I had early February found a Buzzard on the brook and that was too big and calmly flew up and around me to carry on down the brook.
Saturday the 16th of February, I thought I'd best check out the River Rea. I could not have timed it better as straight away a Kingfisher went past calling.
Then music to my ears, I heard the 2 tone call. The Kingfisher was possibly calling it's mate.
I struggled to work out where they were exactly as the call was echoing.
But I made my way to where I thought they were and sure enough I saw a single Kingfisher.
Then I backed off a little so as not to frighten them off and next time I looked I saw one fly across the river. I was ready with my camera and to my delight, the two Kingfisher were sat near each other on a tree stump in the river as on the photo below.
I then made my way to Trittiford Mill pool and again could not believe my luck when straight away I heard a Kingfisher call. It took me a short while to work out where it was and then I saw it fishing and flying along the River Cole.
On the Sunday 17th February, I checked out the River Rea at Wychall, no Kingfisher so I thought I best take a look at Merecroft Pool. First there was a Little Egret, then a pair of Teal, then a single Female Goosander, then on the far side of the pool, I just saw the Kingfisher fly to the reeds.
Then I saw it diving from a tree over the pool on the opposite side of the pool.
Later Sunday I checked out the River Tame at Spaghetti Junction, first I saw a female Goosander, then I though I heard a Kingfisher call but didn't see it. I continued to where the River Rea joins the River Tame. You can't really see much as there's no good view point but there is a slight gap to get a view of the Tame and what flew out, yes a Kingfisher!
Seven Kingfisher for the weekend!