Belbroughton Belne Brook Dippers 2022

Belbroughton Belne Brook Dippers 2022

After the nesting Belne Brook Dippers I then later saw a juvenile Dipper at Belbroughton

The age and timing made it another nesting pair of nesting Dippers

There was also Dippers being chased from the area

Belne Brook Dippers 2022

Belne Brook Dippers 2022

Early morning there was a Belne Brook Dipper at D

Then I saw it move further along

Then I found another Dipper in November further along from the nest site

Bourn Brook Kingfisher update Nov 2022

Bourn Brook Kingfisher update Nov 2022

Uni Bourn Brook Kingfisher

Bourn Brook Blue Bridge Kingfisher

I did see a Woodgate Valley Bourn Brook Kingfisher and had reports of one in November. This could be another bird.

River Rea Kingfisher update Nov 2022

River Rea Kingfisher update Nov 2022

2 Kingfisher back along PM & CH then up the Bourn Brook DH

Kingfisher along TA & Stirchley

Kingfisher at Lifford

A couple Kingfisher at KN

Kingfisher at Wychall

Belne Brook Dippers 2022

 After a few visits I was lucky to time it right and see 2 Dipper fledglings.

Kingfisher update July 2022

 The River Rea Kingfisher nest with the new Kingfisher pair had human disturbance. Due to the hot weather people had been in the Rea building weirs. People then sat and paddled at the weir and they were noisy. Perhaps the removal of the fallen willow tree in the Rea did not help. I guess also this was not a proven nest site. It was perhaps successful last year due to lower temperatures and the fallen willow hiding the nest. The first pair this year would have been successful if the second pair had not turned up.

Late June I saw and heard an adult Kingfisher in the unsuccessful nest valley, I assume it was still checking out the area. Start of July I then think I saw it along the Bourn Brook (DH). Back at a usual location (HF).

Start of July I heard tutting along the Bourn Brook (HL). Then a couple days later I saw it before the bridge (HL). Heard it by the last boulder.

Same along the River Rea, early one morning (PMF), I heard a tutting and then next thing a Kingfisher flew flew past. I saw it again later afternoon (PMF).

I checked the River Cole and there were 2 Kingfisher territories, same old places, SB & PL. There was a failed nest last year at DWW (predated) I did not see any Kingfishers there this year.

An early morning check where the River Rear meets the River Tame and there was a Kingfisher sat on Motorway column support in the river. It then flew all the way back along the Tame and up to the bank. I then knew there was a nest. I returned early a few days later and was lucky to hear tutting and see a fledgling Kingfisher.

July 5th along the River Rea (LV) I heard tutting and again lucky timing there were 2 fledglings. I returned early morning and they were both sat in a very overgrown, hidden valley. They were diving to wash themselves. The parents bought in fish and then the fledglings flew after them.

That made it my 4th nest fledglings for the year.

Kingfisher update June 2022

 In May 2 Kingfisher nests had fledglings.

At a third nest they were due to fledge.

The male Kingfisher was bringing fish to the nest.

The female was sitting on new eggs in a new nest.

I went and checked the next Kingfisher nest site and saw the male Kingfisher flying in the direction of the third nest.

The next day the male was bringing fish to the third nest but none were being taken.

We saw him bring in 10 fish. A few times he went to the nest and came out with the fish. The other times he sat waiting and then eventually flew off with the fish.

(Now looking back I did see the female Kingfisher defending her nest from what must have been the 3rd Kingfisher)

Perhaps the previous evening the nest with chicks had been raided?

The new Kingfisher pair then moved in on the nest site. They checked out the nest hole that previously had chicks. For the next few days, the new female would sit waiting at her new nest. The new male bought in a fish. They mated.

One morning the old male was flying at the new female, who sat by the new nest. He closely flew past her a few times. He's make a tutting call. She would stand up and raise her wings as he went past.

The new male appeared with a few and gave it to the female. He then chased off the old male.

Kingfisher May update

I missed the March & April blog updates when the River Rea Kingfishers starting pairing up.

Something interesting I noticed, when the weather was cold and less than 3C the birds don't sing at first light very much. Also the Kingfisher to conserve energy I assume would only fly to it's favourite spot and sit and wait, I assume waiting for light and to fish. Then on warmer mornings it would fly further to another favourite spot.

It was good along the CH section to see 2 females turn up. One would sit exactly where the male would stop first thing in the morning. This one looked like an immature female with only a small red colour on it's beak. The other female had a fuller red beak.

March and April Kingfishers were seen at 4 spots along the Rea. CH, LD, KN & WY.

At 2 spots they nested.

At the other 2 I'm not so sure. I can only think not enough fish.

One morning in April I had a surprise when a pair of Kingfisher stopped next to me and the male continued to dig a nest hold whilst the female sat and watched and also checked the hole. I'd seen them at this location for a week but then they disappeared. I assume it was not a good location as too exposed to people and too near the footpath. I then found the calling male back at LD.

Update Feb 2022

 I had seen Kingfisher at 3 locations along the River Rea but after the rain only one location.

Dipper, Kingfisher news

Not seen any Dippers since Boxing Day.

2 Kingfishers on the Bourn Brook

2 Kingfishers on the Bourn

I saw a Kingfisher on Wychall Res

I saw a Kingfisher at Longbridge, River Rea

2 Kingfishers along the River Rea, Cannon Hill and Stirchley