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Kingfishers on the network


The kingfisher is one of our most striking, vibrant and exciting birds, and it also symbolises a healthy and dynamic natural environment. It is easily recognised and much loved by visitors to the waterways.

Kingfishers are found across the whole network, from the Caledonian Canal in the Scottish Highlands, to the lowland valleys of the Kennet & Avon Canal and the Welsh Borders.

British Waterways’ staff are providing valuable habitats for kingfishers, a protected species of conservation concern. During 2008, eagle-eyed waterway operative Alan Giddings discovered a valuable kingfisher nest in a small section of eroded bank on the Caen Hill flight. The nest was subsequently saved from destruction, during vital heritage maintenance work to the locks in early 2009.

As the Caen Hill flight is an important Scheduled Ancient Monument, BW had to develop a strategy and negotiate with English Heritage to allow the site to be retained. The nest was used during 2009 and several young were successfully reared. This year, as part of the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB), BW will be taking advantage of the popularity of the Kennet & Avon with kingfishers by creating an artificial nest site. If used, the site will allow the secretive and fascinating nesting habits of this elusive bird to be monitored and filmed. This is a joint project between BW’s media, environment and operations teams, and Carnyx Films, a company that specialises in natural history film making.

The kingfisher was the incredibly popular star of the 2007 wildlife survey and will once again take centre stage during 2010. Once the 2010 wildlife survey is launched BW will need your help, when you’re out and about on the network, to monitor kingfishers by recording your sightings online. You can also keep an eye out for the BW sponsored kingfisher page in ‘The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland’, currently being produced by the British Trust for Ornithology.

Last updated: 16/06/2010