Kingfisher & Barn Owl Diaries (with photos)
In recent years I have been privileged to have both Kingfishers and Barn Owls nesting quite near to my home and to be able to observe, monitor and photograph these two most captivating species at close range - under the appropriate Licences from Natural England and the BTO. (NB. There's more information on the subject of licensing on the 'Schedule 1 Licensing' page).
Our local Kingfishers have also been regular visitors to our garden ponds for several years now, offering even more photographic opportunities.
Since March 2007 I have been maintaining a 'Kingfisher Diary (with photos)' on a community-based website called 'Wild About Britain' (WAB), in which I have chronicled the breeding activities and behaviour of our local birds throughout two breeding seasons and the raising of three broods of young.
The 'Kingfisher Diary' includes (to date) some 140 photos illustrating almost every aspect of Kingfisher behaviour and has proved to be one of the most popular threads on WAB with almost 17,000 viewings and some 300 comments at the time of writing.
By popular demand and following a recent poll of WAB members, it is my intention to continue the 'Diary' through the 2009 breeding season.
For anyone interested in Kingfishers the 'Diary' is, if I may say so, well worth a visit. Here's a link -
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/9791-kingfisher-diary-photos.html
and the 2009 Kingfisher Diary is now up and running and can be found here -
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/48727-kingfisher-diary-2009-photos.html
********************* PLEASE REMEMBER *********************
As fairly rare and easily disturbed birds, Kingfishers and Barn Owls are afforded the highest degree of legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. If you “intentionally or recklessly” disturb a Kingfisher, Barn Owl or any other bird listed in Schedule 1 whilst trying to photograph it “in, on, at or near” the nest or whilst it has dependent young, and without the necessary Licence from Natural England, you may be committing a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 6 months.
See 'Schedule 1 Licensing' page for more details.
**********************************************************
Then in February 2008 I also started a 'Barn Owl Diary (with photos)' on WAB, again recording the activities of a local breeding pair of these farmland favourites.
I'm pleased to say that despite 2008 being generally quite a bad year for Barn Owls, this pair managed to successfully raise three beautiful youngsters and, although not as detailed as my 'Kingfisher Diary', this 'Barn Owl Diary' features some 40 photos and has again proved to be very well received on WAB. Here's a link -
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/22395-barn-owl-diary-photos.html
Jeff
Our local Kingfishers have also been regular visitors to our garden ponds for several years now, offering even more photographic opportunities.
Since March 2007 I have been maintaining a 'Kingfisher Diary (with photos)' on a community-based website called 'Wild About Britain' (WAB), in which I have chronicled the breeding activities and behaviour of our local birds throughout two breeding seasons and the raising of three broods of young.
The 'Kingfisher Diary' includes (to date) some 140 photos illustrating almost every aspect of Kingfisher behaviour and has proved to be one of the most popular threads on WAB with almost 17,000 viewings and some 300 comments at the time of writing.
By popular demand and following a recent poll of WAB members, it is my intention to continue the 'Diary' through the 2009 breeding season.
For anyone interested in Kingfishers the 'Diary' is, if I may say so, well worth a visit. Here's a link -
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/9791-kingfisher-diary-photos.html
and the 2009 Kingfisher Diary is now up and running and can be found here -
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/48727-kingfisher-diary-2009-photos.html
********************* PLEASE REMEMBER *********************
As fairly rare and easily disturbed birds, Kingfishers and Barn Owls are afforded the highest degree of legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. If you “intentionally or recklessly” disturb a Kingfisher, Barn Owl or any other bird listed in Schedule 1 whilst trying to photograph it “in, on, at or near” the nest or whilst it has dependent young, and without the necessary Licence from Natural England, you may be committing a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 6 months.
See 'Schedule 1 Licensing' page for more details.
**********************************************************
Then in February 2008 I also started a 'Barn Owl Diary (with photos)' on WAB, again recording the activities of a local breeding pair of these farmland favourites.
I'm pleased to say that despite 2008 being generally quite a bad year for Barn Owls, this pair managed to successfully raise three beautiful youngsters and, although not as detailed as my 'Kingfisher Diary', this 'Barn Owl Diary' features some 40 photos and has again proved to be very well received on WAB. Here's a link -
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/22395-barn-owl-diary-photos.html
Jeff
