WWT Washington Builds New Artificial Kingfisher Bank After Natural Nest Site Washed Away

Construction of a man-made kingfisher bank is now complete at Wearside's WWT Washington Wetland Centre, which hopes to attract kingfishers back to nest at the site after last year's flash floods washed away their natural nesting area.

In response to the unfortunate loss of the natural kingfisher nesting site in the gully, caused by last year’s flash flooding, WWT Washington is pleased to announce the construction of an artificial kingfisher wall.

This exciting project aims to create a new home for these stunning birds, hopefully providing visitors with the opportunity to witness them up close at key times of year.

Last year, WWT Washington made an exciting discovery when they captured video footage of a kingfisher family, confirming for the first time that this elusive species was breeding on-site. Until then, wardens had only been able to speculate about the presence of breeding kingfishers, making this a significant milestone for the reserve.

The new kingfisher bank, which was recently finished, is constructed on the west edge of Wader Lake next to the Northumbrian Water Hide and will serve as a vital replacement for the destroyed natural site. The artificial wall will offer kingfishers a safe and secure nesting spot, enhancing the biodiversity of the reserve and creating an engaging experience for nature enthusiasts.

Reserve Manager John Gowland said: "A project like this is vital for restoring lost habitats and supporting the incredible wildlife here at WWT Washington. The new kingfisher bank not only provides a safe nesting site after last year’s floods, but also offers visitors a chance to experience the magic of watching these beautiful birds up close. We’re hopeful this effort will help bring more kingfishers to the reserve and strengthen our ongoing conservation work."

The bank itself has been topped with large paving slabs to create a stable roof, which has then been covered with topsoil to blend seamlessly into the natural environment.

Two custom-designed kingfisher nest boxes have been built into the wall and filled with sand to replicate the birds' natural nesting environment. Since kingfishers are territorial, only one pair is expected to occupy a nest within the bank.

Positioned near the Northumbrian Water Hide where kingfisher have been spotted regularly perching and fishing in the lake, the wall’s placement will allow excellent views of the nesting area, providing visitors with the potential to observe kingfishers even closer in their natural habitat.

The construction of this artificial wall represents WWT Washington’s ongoing commitment to conservation and habitat restoration.

WWT Washington looks forward to welcoming visitors to the site to see this exciting development and, hopefully, the return of nesting kingfishers during breeding season next year.

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