Two pairs of kingfishers nest at Arundel for the first time
Double kingfisher families at Arundel Wetland Centre give more close encounters and photo opportunities this summer.
Two pairs of kingfishers have nested at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre for the first time ever, giving visitors double the photo opportunities and close up views this summer. Visitors can watch kingfishers going in and out of their nest hole at the Sand Martin hide nesting bank from only feet away. Kingfishers are also nesting in the Arun Riverlife Lagoon nest bank, easily seen from the Water’s Edge Café seating indoors or from the windows of the Discovery hide opposite the bank.
WWT member Chris Penrice’s hobbies are birdwatching and photography. On his recent visit to Arundel Wetland Centre Chris took the photo above and said: “This is the closest I have ever been while photographing these beautiful birds and the first time I have ever seen a male and a female together! Stunning.”
Both pairs of kingfishers have already hatched out youngsters that have left the nest but both pairs are trying for second broods in the nesting banks.
Arundel Wetland Centre has always had kingfisher sightings with peak season in the autumn and winter, when fallen leaves make it easier to spot perching birds. Now sightings in spring and summer are higher because of the two nest sites on the reserve.
Breeding kingfishers are very territorial. When the chicks are grown and can fly they must find their own territory.
Arundel Wetland Centre Reserve Manager Suzi Lanaway said: “Although kingfishers are territorial the two pairs at our site are not in conflict because they are on different water bodies. The kingfishers will only be in the nest banks for close up views until their next broods fledge in a month or so– so grab your cameras and come down while they are still close!”
Arundel Wetland Centre has built two artificial nest banks that replicate the steep-sided riverbanks where kingfishers nest, a habitat that is disappearing in the wild. Kingfishers dig a long nest tunnel in a bank near water to lay their eggs and raise chicks. The water nearby must not dry out in hot weather and must be unpolluted - conditions that are perfect at the wetland reserve.
Kingfishers are site loyal and a pair have been nesting in Arun Riverlife nesting bank since 2020 - about seven years after it was built. This year marks the first time kingfishers have used the nesting bank at the Sand Martin hide. As its name suggests this bank was built primarily for sand martins who are using it too, in good numbers.
Arundel Wetland Centre is open 10am-4.30pm, seven days week this summer.
