Kingfishers return to nest at Arun Riverlife lagoon
The kingfishers are back at the nesting bank on Arun Riverlife lagoon, opposite the Discovery hide.
There are at least three kingfishers around the nesting bank at Arundel Wetland Centre. Two are an obvious pair, popping in and out of holes in the artificial nesting bank.
Last year one pair of kingfishers nested here in the purpose built bank on the Arun Riverlife lagoon for the first time. It is one of the many WWT biodiversity success stories you can read more about here
In spring 2020 there were just two kingfishers using the nest bank - a female identifiable by her lower orange bill and a male with his black beak. Sadly this winter our reserve team came across a male kingfisher that had been predated and believe it to be the male from that pairing.
Who are this new pair? The Reserve Team believe that last year’s female has returned and is pairing up with one of her male offspring. The third wheel may be another male youngster from last year’s brood.
Acting Reserve Manager Suzi Lanaway said: “The male in this spring’s pair is not chasing off the other male, so not establishing his territory very well. The pair also seem indecisive about which hole to use. These factors indicate the male is likely quite inexperienced and just learning the ropes.”
The current pair were flitting between nesting holes #1 and #10 and on Wednesday had started entering and leaving hole #8, in the centre of the bank. Juvenile kingfishers are independent after fledging are usually forced out of their parents territory. The best case scenario will be if the other male kingfisher picks up a mate this spring and we get two pairs of kingfishers nesting onsite.
Usually kingfisher sightings drop in late spring and summer with the birds sitting on the nest and caring for young. The good news about kingfishers using this centrally located artificial nest bank means visitors will have more chances to see our favourite, flashy fisherman from the family Discover hide when Arundel Wetland Centre reopens later this April.
