Last year I spent a considerable amount of time studying and recording the fortunes of a pair of Kingfishers, getting clearer data on their breeding success for the first time. This was discretely done away from any nest site disturbance, but close enough to monitor their fortunes.
During the summer the heat became almost unbearable inside the bag hide, as it reached 38C outside. It must have exceeded 40C inside the hide, which almost `wraps` over you, so there is very little space to breathe. However the effort was well worth it, and the information gathered will help with any new monitoring during 2023.
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PROJECT 1:
This year I hope to set up a secondary site to keep an eye on, away (hopefully) from the disturbance and threat of dogs in particular. It`s also important that breeding sites and perches are away from people, as the slightest disturbance can be seen as a potential threat, and they would abandon a site for a safer area.
Last year, the main pair I was watching had two successful broods, and it will be interesting to see how they fair this year. As for the second potential site, which depends on getting away from disturbance, I plan to set up some perches at suitable spots by early April, and these will be in places where there might be a plentiful supply of fish, but not too far from where they might try and nest.
Kingfisher are Schedule 1 birds, meaning they must not be disturbed at or near the nest site. My plan would be set something up away from the site, particularly where they may be a lack of other perches around. If they are not too far away, they should hopefully be adopted as `training perches` for any young ones.
We shall see!