The kings of Rye

It would appear that the Kingfisher young hatched around the 6th August at the Kingfisher hide so activity would increase over the next weeks. A couple of visits ensued to photograph the action.​ Always a good place to visit and even before entering the centre there was a Jersey Tiger Moth and Leaf Cutter Bee activity in the wildlife garden.

At the Draper hide, at least 7 Green Sandpipers were in evidence.

The usual suspects were also present including Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Further round at the Gadwall hide a Common Sandpiper obligingly posed right in front of the hide.

So finally on to the busy Kingfisher hide where there was a fair amount of activity. It would appear that the male is a young bird and certainly not as efficient or as obliging as the female. He would fly straight in with a fish and then depart, only posing once near by.

The female was much more confiding, perching up close by and even catching small Tench in the pond.

Not sure if these larger fish were suitable for the young as they were taking smaller ones into the nest site.

In between fishing trips she was very happy to perch up for a rest.

Flight shots were tricky, but I did manage a couple.

The nearby trees and a leafy perch provided a great background for some shots.

Here she is showing how she deals with a larger Tench.

Even the rain did not stop play!

A brilliant few hours with some amazing birds!