The Belted Kingfisher which was first sighted on the Ribble upstream from Brockholes in mid-November was then sighted on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Whitnell Bridge over a week ago. I assume people looked for it and then somehow it was located on the River Darwen at Roach Bridge where it has been present for a few days now. A day off from work, a morning visit to a location barely 25 minutes away was doable so I made a plan with Craggy. We arrived early and found a slot in a layby. The uphill path to the field which overlooks the river was getting muddy as was the field we had to cross through. Within a few minutes we picked up the bird which would disappear out of view. I only had my camera but I did not even manage to take a record shot due to the branches in the way.
The Kingfisher took flight and it looked like a large Roller in it's flight pattern and sounded like a Mistle Thrush. It flew from perch to perch and even dived after fish a few times. The views were not excellent I must say but it resembled no other bird in terms of behaviour I have ever seen before. We chatted to some of the visitors one who travelled from Norwich desperately looking for a Dipper!
This is by far the best photo I have ever seen of the bird so far:-
Great to see you both at the Belted Kingfisher yesterday. As I walked across the muddy field I managed to get stuck in the mud, luckily Sarfraz and Craggy saw my predicament and swiftly pulled me out, Well done Rossendale Rescue Service! Oh yes, the Kingfisher showed fairly well also!!
Dave O.