It is with much regret that the Kingfisher nest on my local river has been abandoned following the excessive rains we have recently experienced.  Over two days there has been no activity at the nest with the water level being just an inch or two below the nest entrance.

Sadly this has no doubt been replicated at dozens of other nest across the south of England underlining the vulnerability of these little birds.

Of course this pair will probably make another nest and hopefully have another clutch of eggs.

So, with fingers crossed, and incubation taking between 19 and 21 days, and a further 23 to 27 days to fledge there could still be the pitter patter of young Kingfishers mid to late August.

But this river also suffers from duck weed towards the end of summer, which forces the birds to fish elsewhere.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope they raise a brood.