Rare Kingfisher Has Birders Abuzz

Birders have been following the progress of a rare belted kingfisher that appears to have made its home in Lancashire.

Photo: Belted kingfisher in Redscar Woods Photo Credit: George Shannon

TBrockholes, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust reserve just off the M6 at Preston, has seen an increase in visitors, keen to spot the bird after it was first spotted there in October. It is generally only found on inland lakes in the United States and Canada. It is believed to be only the fourth time the bird has been spotted in the United Kingdom – the last sighting was in Staffordshire in 2005, but one was seen in Ireland over the past couple of years. The bird was initially seen by fisherman and birder George Shannon on the River Ribble near Samlesbury, before it flew onto the nature reserve where it has been spotted by three or four local birders. George said: “I was fishing close to Redscar Woods when I heard a very loud but unfamiliar rattling croaky call. I looked round and watched a slate blue and white bird flying upstream towards me about 10ft above the centre of the river. It proceeded to land in dead trees directly opposite where I was sitting. “I got my bins on it and genuinely couldn’t believe the image I was seeing. I thought ‘it’s a belted kingfisher but it can’t possibly be a belted kingfisher.’ My heart was literally pounding out of my chest. “The bird sat partially obscured on a dead branch, directly opposite where I sat for about a minute, bobbing and twitching around before moving even closer to me and in plain sight. It was a stunning belted kingfisher. Jet black crest and very heavy sturdy looking black bill, the slate coloured uppers were so brightly contrasted against the white of the body.” George believes the bird may be the one that was spotted in Ireland a couple of years ago.

Photo: Belted kingfisher at Withnell Fold Photo Credit: Leonard Poxon

Birder Leonard Poxon spotted the bird fishing on the LeedsLiverpool Canal at Withnell Fold near Chorley. He said: “I have been watching the reports of the belted kingfisher that appeared on the River Ribble in October, noting that it visited the River Darwen and then the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at a time of heavy rain. I conjectured that it may relocate again to the canal should the conditions on the River Darwen deteriorate after another period of heavy rain. “I thought I would test out my theory and have a look for it at Withnell Fold. My luck was in, and I found the kingfisher where it had been seen previously. I saw it plunge dive several times and saw it catch at least one fish.” The belted kingfisher is bigger than our kingfishers, it has a dark blue head, with a white collar, a large blue band on its chest and is white underneath. Its back and wings are blue-black. Its most prominent feature is the shaggy crest on its head. It is found across most of North America but it does migrate into the southern states, Mexico, and the Caribbean in winter. It has been seen in Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal as well as the UK. Alan Wright, Head of Communications at the Lancashire Wildlife Trust said: “We first heard about the belted kingfisher at Brockholes in October and then it laid low for a little while. Now birders are spotting it around the rivers and canals in South Lancashire, pretty much every day. “It’s a big bird so it couldn’t hide away for too long, even though it is really shy. There is a good chance that the bird will remain in the area long term if it likes the conditions.”

The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 30,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers. To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129 LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE www.lancmag.com