I was looking at last years entry for the corresponding day on the Blog and it was interesting to see, not only what I had been doing, but equally as interesting to see what I had been planning. I had made a comment about not seeing a Kingfisher for a while but expecting to see one eventually if I put the time in, and this is exactly what is happening this year as we approach the month of July. last week I built a new hide just down stream from last years and I have spent a few hours sitting in it, during the early evening mainly, in the hope of a visit from a Kingfisher looking for a territory.  Last year it had taken several weeks of this kind of patience until eventually the original male put in a brief appearance, followed 5 days later by the new young female who stayed until Christmas, at least.    

I am actually writing this as I sit in the hide and exactly the same as last year, a Moorhen…….. breeding nearby I'm sure, has just posed in front of the hide, totally oblivious to me.

That's good, now I know that the wildlife is used to the hide and is not put off……… quick pause to photograph a female House Sparrow on the specially placed Kingfisher perch……….  

This is just the same as last year, lots of sparrows before the Kingfisher put in her appearance.  Looking at the lovely inviting perch fills me with excitement because when one does show it's going to be quite a picture.

One difference this year, although no photograph to show for it,  a young Reed Warbler was on the perch in front of me for a few seconds the other day but I didn't manage to get a picture but I am hopeful that I will get another.  Also yesterday, a young Grey Wagtail was on the perch as I approached the hide so plenty of birds to photograph while I wait for the  "Royal Visit".  This year, the flow of the brook is not as clear as previous years and the environment agency have told me that in August they are going to dredge through the centre of the channel.  This will. in the long term be better, but in the short term will cause a massive amount of disturbance. It was my impression that last year, as the seasons progressed, new Kingfishers were flying up and down the brook looking for territories of their own so when things return to normal in September and then October, there will still be ample opportunity for a Kingfisher to claim some "Real Estate".