A FEW days ago, a female kingfisher (see photograph) was perched on the north bank of the River Wharfe, just a short distance from the Old Bridge in Ilkley. I think she has laid claim to a winter territory that stretches some distance upstream and just a little way downstream. She has defended it, at least once, against a juvenile challenger (see my last Nature Notes).

On this morning, she was in a relatively exposed location – where she might not have previously perched. However, she seemed relaxed. I was standing on the footpath on the opposite side of the river. From the way she alternated between looking down to the water, to see whether her breakfast was passing by, and preening, I assumed she was not feeling threatened.

Perhaps this was because above her, at the top of the riverbank, was a newly-erected fence. This runs from the Old Bridge, for approximately 250 yards, downstream. It is the first stage of a project that will see the restoration of key areas of riverbank vegetation. Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust has advised on a plan for replanting the riverbank, and this fence (installed by a tremendous team of volunteers from Friends of Ilkley Moor) will enable new vegetation to grow and protect wildlife from disturbance while it does.

We are very lucky, in this area. The River Wharfe is a home and/or feeding location for many species, including kingfishers, dippers, wagtails, goosanders, herons, egrets, and otters. The river also acts as a wildlife corridor – connecting wildlife populations and allowing animals to move upstream and downstream in search of suitable conditions.

Unfortunately, over recent years, much riverbank vegetation, vitally important to this wildlife, has been lost. It seems this is largely due to increased footfall and particularly increased ‘paw-fall’. The river is a busier place. I think people are visiting in greater numbers and more are walking their dogs along the riverbanks. It is great this environment is being enjoyed, but loss of wildlife habitat will eventually lead to loss of wildlife. Rather than let this reach a crisis point, this new conservation project will restore some key areas and seek to maintain a better balance.

The work is being led by the Wharfedale Naturalists Society, Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks, and Bradford Council, with valued support from Ilkley Angling Association, the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, and the Friends of Ilkley Moor.

The aim is to enable wildlife to continue feeding, resting, and moving along the river. Moreover, the plan is to do this restoration in such a way that the opposite riverbank is open, and provides people with the opportunity to watch wildlife from a reasonable distance. It is an arrangement that worked well for me when photographing this kingfisher.