Surfbirds News

Kingfisher SB35872 was fitted with a BTO ring in December 2007, at Higham Marshes in Kent. For the next year it regularly flew through a local factory, using it to roost at night. Conveniently, the factory was open seven days a week, and the factory workers enjoyed the frequent flashes of cobalt blue as the bird flew through on its regular fishing trips. The credit crunch has now forced the factory to close for three days every week, and whilst closed recently SB35872 became trapped inside. It was found dead on Thursday last week when the factory reopened – a sad demise for such a stunning bird.

Mark Grantham, Research Ecologist in the BTO Ringing Scheme, said “We receive around 500 reports of ringed birds every month from members of the public but this is the first one we have received of a bird hit by the credit crunch. Had this bird not been carrying a BTO ring we would be none the wiser.” He added, “If anyone does find a dead bird with a ring on its leg, by reporting it to us here at the BTO, not only will they be contributing to scientific research, they will be making a real difference to our understanding of the lives of birds.”

Anyone finding a ringed bird should report it online at www.ring.ac or by calling the BTO on 01842 750050.

Kingfisher © Sean Gray, from the surfbirds galleries

The Kingfisher is the sole member of its family to be found in Britain. As its name suggests, fish form the main part of its diet. The average lifespan for a Kingfisher is two years, though the oldest bird recorded in Britain is four and a half years. In Europe, the oldest was a Belgian bird which reached 21 years. It is widely distributed in Britain south of the Humber, though migrants from the Continent are found in winter. In the 100 years since ringing began in Britain & Ireland, ringed Kingfishers have been found here from Germany (4), Netherlands and France.