Back on the first of April 2005, whilst I was at work, news that a Belted Kingfisher had been found in inland Staffordshire near Shugborough. As it was April Fool`s Day a lot of doubt as to why a really rare American bird had been found in that area, was it a genuine sighting? It turned out to be correct, so we went the day after to have a look at it, we were disappointed. But with news that the bird had relocated to Eastrington Ponds N.R. near Goole/Howden in Yorkshire, a dash north reminiscent of a Keystone Cops film followed. Could there be more bad news about the bird? Upon arrival it had gone, so the disappointed invasion force just gave up! But that was not quite the end as the bird had been found on the river at Peterculter, Aberdeenshire a couple of days later. The bird stayed for 4 days but as we arrived promptly disappeared once more, think we were fated not to see this species!
With no more twitchable birds being seen in the country for 16 years, you could say hope of ever seeing one had gone. On Monday the 8th November this year a fisherman/birdwatcher on the River Ribble not far from Brockholes N.R. saw a Belted Kingfisher, whilst he was fishing and funnily enough, so was the bird! He took a few distant pictures of it with his phone, there was a lot of cynicism surrounding this sighting, and someone even said that it was Just a Great Tit, how wrong they were. No further sightings of the bird until Sunday the 14th November when the Belted Kingfisher was seen again in the Tunbrook/Horseshoe bend, Brockholes N.R. area of the River Ribble. It was seen by another reputable birder, but vanished and was not seen again for a few days. We went across to search for it, again without any joy, but a nice walk.
Yesterday the 25th November turned out to be quite a remarkable day, as at 11-50am the Belted Kingfisher was reported on Rare Bird Alert after having been seen at 8-30am till 9-45am. It had been seen just down from Red Scar Wood almost in the same place that it had been located on the two previous occasions, then apart from it going missing for 15 minutes. It was reported as showing well time for a trip I thought, with Bob K & Kevin C being unavailable, I rung Craig B and he said yes lets go By 1-15pm we were heading towards Preston, a message to say the bird was still present helped. We arrived at Longridge/Preston Crematorium by 1-50pm and headed along the footpath and began the decent of the difficult, treacherous, slippy path to the river bed. A useful walking stick/branch was used, but I still managed a couple of mud slides what fun, all to see a bird! Craig beckoned me over as I landed and a look through a telescope soon had me watching a male Belted Kingfisher, 16 years waiting was over, what a bird! We watched this American Beauty for a good 40 minutes as it perched in a few different trees and flew about pursuing fish. The climb up the slope wasnt quite as memorable as the climb down, but a few others really toiled to get up the muddy path. Craig B has been with us on a few trips to see rare birds and has yet not failed to see them, his new name is Mr 100% We reached home before dark.
What of Bob K & Kevin C, well they set off early this morning (26th) and were rewarded with great views of the Belted Kingfisher. This species was Bob`s 500th bird on the BOU list, well done pal. I am really glad that Bob has re-found his mojo for seeing rare birds. Kevin C has also had a quite remarkable year for seeing rare birds. Lots of happy faces were seen leaving the crematorium that in itself was a joy to behold.
Dave O
