Seventeen days after it's initial sighting the Belted Kingfisher was seen well, photographed and filmed on the 25th Nov by Eddie Williamson near the Tunbrook Inlet on the Redscar bend of the Ribble.
IT'S BACK! (guess it hadn't gone away...)
The Belted Kingfisher is back! Of course it obviously hadn't gone away..
Wowza! Eddie Williamson's Belted Kingfisher picture (25th November 2021)
Given that it's not been seen for a while it's obviously going to be difficult to connect with. Seen again near the Tunbrook Inlet today (26th November)
NOTES FROM BROCKHOLES STAFF *Although this is very exciting and we understand many of you will want to catch a glimpse of this rare bird, we urge everyone to use caution when trying to access this section of the river and encourage all our visitors to keep to the paths.
We hope this special bird will stay around Brockholes for the winter and there will be many opportunities for safe sightings.*
Cetti's Warbler occasionally showing well - pic by Bill Aspin
In other bird news a nice selection of resident/winter visitors are available around the reserve.
Jack Snipe can be seen with patiences (and a scope) on Meadow Lake with Common Snipe. A Common Sandpiper on the river, also up to 4 Green Sandpiper seen yesterday, possibly moved from areas up stream on the Ribble.
Pink-footed Geese are regularly flying over with 200+ seen, also Whooper Swan (3 today). Wildfowl on the reserve include 7 Goldeneye (mostly on the river), 60+ Tufted Duck, 64 Gadwall, 30+ Wigeon, 40 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 2 Pochard and a drake Pintail. Goosander can occasionally be seen on the river.
Other winter visitors present include Fieldfare, Redwing, Stonechat and Goldcrest. A Chiffchaff was seen near the settlement tanks.
The usual raptors with up to 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
Up to 250 Black-headed Gull and 60 Herring Gull coming in to Pit No.1
At least 1000 Starling coming in to roost around Pit No.1. Keep an eye out for roving flocks of Long-tailed Tit and Common Kingfishers!
Roe Deer present on site and if you are lucky, Otter from the Ribble View Point.
Otter - Bill Aspin
If you are visiting the reserve and would like to know what is around and where the best spots might be or have something to report, feel free to drop into the in focus shop, based in the Lookout and we can point you in the right direction.
