Hi everyone (1 Viewer)

[Owls]

Hi folks, I am not an expert by any means but I know most birds that are found in or visit the UK.

I am a keen angler so there is always the opportunity to see plenty of different varieties of bird, especially at quiet places.

Over the years though, I have only seen a handful of kingfishers. Normally they are extremely shy but today I was sitting quietly when one decided to perch on my rod tip. Luckily I had my phone to hand and took a quick snap.

The picture isn’t the greatest quality and may have lost a bit of the colour. It’s also not that clear as you expand it. I am 99.9% sure it’s a kingfisher but it lacked the brilliant blue they normally have.

Just wondered if perhaps they lose a bit of colour at certain times of the year or something and it also seemed larger than I expected. Sorry the picture isn’t of greater quality. Any thoughts much appreciated.

 

[Scridifer]

Hello Owls and welcome to BirdForum! Yes a Kingfisher, probably an immature bird, their plumage tends to be a bit duller than the adults'. What a lovely experience!

Chris

 

[delia todd]

Hi Owls and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

How wonderful for you to have that kingfisher make use of your rod for a viewpoint!!! Some people have all the luck.

You can read more about these beauties in our Opus article: Common Kingfisher - BirdForum Opus

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Owls]

Thanks for the replies, a juvenile bird explains it, as it’s legs were quite dark. I also have a picture of 4 herons all perched on an old dead tree all within 4 feet of each other. Unfortunately before the days of mobiles so I only have a hard copy.

Quiet pools are often good places to catch a glimpse of birds that tend to be shy. I have seen a few tawny owls in broad daylight and one particular place was a route that a barn owl took every night just after sunset. It would fly above me as if I wasn’t there. Great to watch.

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there Owls and a warm welcome to you .
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[delia todd]

I've always loved Shropshire!! How lucky you are to live there.

You sure do seem to get some great sightings Owls.

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi Owls and welcome to BirdForum. Great photo.

Rich

 

[Lisa W]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group.

 

[Owls]

I've always loved Shropshire!! How lucky you are to live there.

You sure do seem to get some great sightings Owls.

Yes, it’s extremely nice and I do appreciate how lucky we are to have such a beautiful county. I used to work in some very remote rural areas and one place had a pair of yellow pied wagtails that nested annually. Another had a resident black and white, blackbird.

We also see all types of woodpecker although the lesser spotted I haven’t seen for many years now. Red kites are reasonably common nowadays and fieldfares are another I used to see at my old address.

 

[Fritz73]

Hola Owls! Welcome to Birdforum

 

[Owls]

I went fishing again yesterday, to the exact same spot and saw the kingfisher again. I am assuming it was the same one but may not have been. It was in flight this time so no picture, unfortunately.

Then this morning a greater spotted woodpecker visited the tree outside my window, where there is a rotting apple tree but by the time I grabbed my phone for a picture it had gone.

 

[delia todd]

I went fishing again yesterday, to the exact same spot and saw the kingfisher again. I am assuming it was the same one but may not have been. It was in flight this time so no picture, unfortunately.

Then this morning a greater spotted woodpecker visited the tree outside my window, where there is a rotting apple tree but by the time I grabbed my phone for a picture it had gone.

You seem to have joined the world of frustrated bird photographers Owls.... that sort of thing happens to me all the time LOL