A Trio of Kingfishers

A Friend of Foxglove Covert took some fantastic photos of three Kingfishers on the Lake this afternoon.

Kingfishers tend to breed in their first year having paired around February. The nest burrow is usually in a bank which is stone free. The burrow is about 2 to 3ft in depth, where up to three broods are produced one after the other. The clutch is 6-7 eggs, hatching approx 21 days after being laid, they then leave the nest after about 24 days, but this can be another ten days if food is short. They are fed for about 4 days by the parents before being driven out of the territory so another brood can begin.

They were fishing off the duck platform, seen here with Tufted Duck and ducklings in the background.

Off the hand rail in front of the lake Hide

Below it is holding what looks like a dragonfly larvae. 

Also seen diving off the Lake tree trunk

Here are some other views of these fantastic birds

Thank you to Terry and Yvonne Wright for these great snaps.