31st January 2005
The ROC and Newbury District Ornithological Club are organising a survey of Kingfishers in Berkshire to understand the status of the birds and to engage the public in understanding more about birds and local habitats.
The Kingfisher is an ‘amber list’ bird hence of moderate conservation concern due to its unfavourable conservation status in Europe and while it is frequently observed in Berkshire the status is not well known. It is an easy bird to see and identify and the respective clubs have decided it would be a good subject for a county wide survey involving the public. The very simple survey runs from now to the end of July and participants will receive a free summary of the results later in the year.
The Kingfisher is a striking species and can often be seen around rivers, canals and lakes or reservoirs in the county. The presence of a Kingfisher is often first recognised by hearing its loud peeping call and then seeing a flash of electric blue over the water as the bird flies low straight and fast to its next perch. When perched the orangey brownish red breast shows clearly as it sits very still often watching the water for signs of fish below.
In the light of continuing conservation and environmental pressures, the proposed Kennet Valley Park by the Prudential being one of them, the ROC wishes to involve as many of the public as possible in visiting and seeing the many wonderful waterside habitats we have near Reading. Their visits can be made more valuable and enjoyable by watching for these wonderful birds and helping to collect records to inform us of the status of Kingfishers.
Records of Kingfishers can be sent from anywhere in Berkshire and with its many lakes, rivers and the Kennet and Avon canal there is no shortage of habitats where they can be seen. Of particular interest are sightings from the areas south of Reading and the Kennet and Avon, east of Pingewood Road, where old gravel pits and lakes have paths passing or crossing them with many hundreds of birds of a wide variety of species to be seen. Here also is a major Heronry where many birds are already nesting. This is the area most threatened by the Kennet Valley Park proposals.
Colin Wilson, Chairman of the Reading Ornithological Club said ‘It’s not very often we can easily involve the public in surveys but this is a great opportunity to turn a walk into the country into a visit with a difference. We have plenty of local habitats with standing or flowing water in Berkshire, many close to where people live, so it should be possible for everyone to watch out for this spectacular bird and contribute to our survey. We can offer help to identify the Kingfisher and have made it as easy as possible to report sightings’.
For further details of the survey and how easy it is to participate please visit the ROC website www.theroc.org.uk or contact Mrs Ruth Angus, 459 Reading Road, Winnersh, Berks RG41 5HX who will be able to send details.
Any questions about this press release or matters related to it should be addressed to: Colin Wilson, Chairman, Reading Ornithological Club, Blakeney, St Catherine’s Road, Frimley Green, Camberley, Surrey GU16 9NP. Tel 01252 837411 or mobile 07899 066687