Bohemia Village Voice

A kingfisher

At the Voice we have had reports of a kingfisher seen at the ponds in Summerfields Wood, both in flight and perching on a branch by the water. Consequently, one bright but cold December day I went to investigate. A golden sunset gleamed through the silhouetted branches of the trees, harmonising with the golden leaves underfoot. Unsurprisingly, a kingfisher did not appear on cue, and I lacked time to settle down and wait, but what I had come for was evidence.
Almost immediately I struck lucky. Some branches overhung the water at about six feet.  Underneath on the rushes were bird droppings, not necessarily a kingfisher’s, but at least indicating that a bird perched there regularly. The height and unimpeded position was just what a kingfisher would choose from which to spot fish and launch an attack. At the next pond were other likely branches, but were there any fish?  
A spokesman at the RSPB informs me that, though fairly rare, kingfishers are one of the few British birds whose numbers are actually increasing, due to mild winters meaning ponds seldom freeze over for long.