Kingfisher site

[Vics]

Hi There, does anybody know of a kingfisher fishing site in South East England?
Kent would be good. I need to get close for the shot I have in mind.
over to you.

[pduxon]

Rye Meads on the Essex/Herts border is great when they are breeding the RSPB/HMWT have a hide over looking the artificial nesting area.

[robinm]

Hi Vics from a fellow Kent resident.

Dungeness RSPB is a possibility. I have had views down to less than 10m from the Firth Hide. It is sometimes possible to view actual fishing

Stodmarsh is another, but not easy to get "fishing" shots - if that is your plan. Go to the Reed Bed Hide.

Rye Harbour would be another - good views from the Castle Water hide.

Hope this gives you a starting point.

[Ruby]

Hi Vics,

Not sure about East Kent, but there are plenty on the river at Tonbridge and also Bough Beech reservoir.

Maybe a little closer to you is Oare Marshes - seen plenty there... usually on the left of the access road, rather than where the main scrape is.

[IanF]

Hi Vics,

Can't help I'm afraid as I'm a bit further north than that. However on behalf of Admin and the Moderators I'd like to welcome you to Bird Forum :t:

[steve_nova]

Hi Vics and welcome to bird forum. Good luck with the Kingfishers :t:

[Peter Galbavy]

Just to say "Hi", I'm new too. I am more a keen nature photographer than a birder, but the two are crossing over.

I feel very lucky to have finally found my local Kingfishers. I am in Finchley, North London, and one little bird likes to stop off for a few seconds on a variety of branches just 10 yards from the road... noise doesn't seem to bother it.

I got some pictures, but even with a 400mm lens they are quite small @ 15m away. The light is not quite bright enough for the 2x converter yet, so I will wait before posting anything :)

Oh, I also have the priviledge of Woodpeckers (I think Spotted), a Heron, Grey Wagtails and all the more common birds - basically behind my house.

Can't wait for more light...

[digi-birder]

Peter, on behalf of admin and all the moderators, welcome to Bird Forum.

Spending time here will soon make a birder of you. I hope you enjoy participating in the discussions and we look forward to seeing your photos in the gallery.

[ivewalmer]

Hi,

The stream at Seaton Gravel Pits (near Wickhambreaux) is pretty reliable. Also have seen them most times I have been to the streams at Kearsney Abbey in River, Dover.

Ivan

[ruddyduck]

Turf fields hide at Grove ferry end of Stodmarsh nature reserve, near canterbury. King fishers perching and fishing from post approx 10 feet in front of hide window, close enough to determine male or female even!!! very popular site for photographers!
Sometimes seen at Reedbed hide, other end too.
Jude B (:

[django]

Rye Meads on the Essex/Herts border is great when they are breeding the RSPB/HMWT have a hide over looking the artificial nesting area. went last week and the Kingfishers were real busy also this week 25th June spent at least 15 minutes watching a cuckoo I have heard them but never seen one "GREAT" (HIDE in car park overlooking water buffalo cuckoo on fence on left of field)

[nigelblake]

It should be pointed out that in the UK the Kingfisher is a schedule 1 species and as such a license from 'English nature' is required if you intend to photograph them at or near the nest, or with dependent young. These birds will still be nesting and some will be with second broods for the year.