Adapted to see underwater the kingfisher can see it prey.
The flight of the kingfisher is fast, direct and usually low over water. The short rounded wings whirr rapidly, a bird flying away shows an electric-blue “flash” down its back…
In the blink of an eye… the kingfisher is a king of fishers.
They are the king of fishers, eating a varied diet of equatic insects alongside small fish. Kingfishers usually hunt from an exposed perch; when a prey item is observed, the kingfisher swoops down to snatch it, then returns to the perch.
Kingfishers are generally shy birds, but in spite of this, they feature heavily in human culture. As a shy bird the sightings can be rare, yet we see them quite frequently as we move about the rivers and canal networks of England and Wales. Some kingfishers are quiet undeterred by human presence, others flitting when our boat comes to close. The flitting electric blue is sometimes the only sighting we can record. Kingfishers are territorial, nesting in crevices of upturned trees, in banks of rivers and canals. Laying 2 eggs in a clutch, the flood waters can be a problem in spring. This leads to laying more eggs to compensate for the loss if they are flooded out.
The kingfisher is on the Amber List of Endangers species… they are a sign of decent water quality. In winter if the water is iced over they move to coastal regions, this causes problems for the kingfisher, it is a prime reason for the loss of the species if the bad weather is prolonged. My drawings are a recording something I shall continue with.
Over the past year I have been writing a children’s book which largely features the coot; who has an encounter with a kingfisher. During these past few years, I have been looking at characters, families, fall-outs, nesting seasons alongside spotting the diversity of wildlife living on our canals and rivers.
A children’s story about difference and colour.
Leading on from the story ‘Blue Coot’ I have been privileged to be able to take part in the International Postcard Show 2016, with my Trio of Kingfishers.
My webshop has some of the drawings, which take form as prints, T-shirts, cards…
