25/11/2021 River Ribble, nr Brockholes

Belted Kingfisher: From Florida to Preston this extremely rare belted kingfisher has been on the river near Redscar Woods off on the Turnbrook mouth since the 8th of November. 

Since then the bird had only been seen by a handful of fishermen and no birders, some folk, perhaps even myself were thinking it didn't exist or was long gone. 

I've been three times over the past few weeks, searching for the banks and listening out for what has become a mythical bird,  I even spent a few hours waiting in one area with a panoramic view of the river hoping it would fly up and down, hoping for just a glimpse.

Well today I got better than a glympse, after a report from around 12am I left work and headed straight from Bolton and was there within half an hour or so.

When I arrived the bird was in full view on a overhanging branch before taking cover a little further down stream. It made several passes and alighted upon a hawthorn on the opposite side showing really well.

I was absolutely delighted. A real local MEGA!