Taxonomically they are referred to as the ‘Common Kingfisher’ (Alcedo atthis). This differentiates them from more than 90 other varieties that can be found elsewhere in the world. Apparently, their name was conceived because of the colour of their plumage – with blue having regal associations (e.g., ‘royal blue’). This might seem apt. However, through the spring and for most of the summer, they haven’t fully lived up to their name. Around Ilkley, they have not been common!

Then, in mid-August, there was a sudden explosion of Kingfisher activity. After watching for a while, it seemed an adult male and female were in the area – as well as the occasional juvenile bird (female Kingfishers have an orange lower bill – juveniles have darker feet). I saw much more of the male bird. Sometimes it was diving for fish, killing them, then heading off up the river with its catch. I presumed it was taking them to a nest somewhere. Kingfishers can have up to three broods in a season, and later broods are sometimes laid in a different location. Perhaps a pair had moved closer to the town.

Towards the end of the month, Kingfisher activities were challenged when storm ‘Lilian’ arrived. Overnight there were very strong winds – and the following morning many tree branches were strewn along the riverbanks or floating down the river. Nevertheless, at least one Kingfisher was out, trying to catch fish. However, as the day went on, the river level rose steeply. A little after one o’clock in the afternoon, it peaked at 0.85m at the Old Bridge in Ilkley.

Since ‘Lilian’, the Kingfishers have been around but seem less active. Of course, it is possible that they have simply switched locations and been fishing in places where I haven’t seen them. Considering less optimistic alternatives, if there was a nest, was it flooded? Predation might be another explanation for a change in activity levels. Over the time I was watching the Kingfishers, I saw a Mink, Brown Rats (these seem to be particularly abundant, at the moment), a Cat, and a Sparrowhawk along the riverbank. All of these are possible predators of Kingfishers or their nests.

So, at the time of writing, it is a case of waiting to see. Hopefully there is still an active nest somewhere in the area and, in a little while, there will be more juvenile Kingfishers dispersing along the river Wharfe looking to establish their own territories.