Archive - Friday, 23 January 2004


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Stunning spectacle

THOSE who enjoyed watching the stunning shots of kingfishers in BBC 2's My Halcyon River on Sunday are in for a treat at The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, as a cheeky kingfisher has taken up residence at the entrance.

The stunning blue bird has been delighting visitors walking up the entry ramp to swoop and dive to catch fish in the pond below, seemingly unperturbed by the constant flow of people above.

Usually only ever seen as a flash of cobalt blue as they fly over rivers and streams, this latest addition to the Slimbridge spectacle is happy perching on branches overlooking the pond and even on the edge of the entry ramp itself.

Manager Neil Woodward said: "Kingfishers really are beautiful birds and this one is giving our visitors the best view that they are ever likely to get.

"I've worked at Slimbridge for over 20 years and in that time I've never known a kingfisher to be so unwary of humans it really is incredible to watch it darting over the pond catching fish and resting on branches in full view of everyone walking past."