Meet the Animals

New for 2009 is the colourful kingfisher. Will any move into the brand new apartments we've built for them down on the Pensthorpe lake? We certainly hope so.

Missed something? Keep up to date with the kingfisher bank here.

Species information

Take a slow walk along a quiet river bank and you may just catch a flash of electric blue shooting arrow-like over the water. That flash is our most colourful bird, the magnificent kingfisher. Those bright orange underparts and that iridescent blue-green back make for excellent camouflage against the brown branches and cold blue waters of the river.

Perched upright on a branch the kingfisher will scan the water for small fish and once spotted a dive more often than not results in a wriggling fish in its heavy dagger-like bill. Once stunned against a branch the fish is swallowed head first.

Nesting in tunnels in the river bank, kingfishers are elusive birds but when rivers and streams start to freeze in winter they will move to coastal parts just to be able to catch fish. Listen out for its sharp whistling call.

How to help

By respectfully observing these wonderful birds in their natural habitats.

You could join your local RSPB group to find out more about and help with the conservation of the kingfisher. You can also help the BTO record bird migration and distribution throughout the UK with BirdTrack.

Wednesday 10th June

No kingfishers moved into our purposefully built nesting bank. These wasps did, however, and they made their own nest too.