I was having a stroll down the side of the Don this lunch (near Lady's bridge) and was generally looking down on the river, at the odd duck, rubbish and other not so interesting things that seem to occupy the banks when I saw a flash of blue flying further up the river. Anyway, to satisfy my curiosity I ventured to area where the blue thing had gone, to discover a Kingfisher purched on a tree.

You might laugh, but I was truly excited by my sighting, as this was the first time that I'd seen a Kingfisher in my life (apart from on telly that is). It is great to work in the city centre and have such wildlife living and hunting alongside. I am pleased that the Don seems to be improving and that it is attracting a diverse selection of creatures.

Anyway, I couldnt contain my excitement any longer and thought I would share this with you all.

AO.

Hey thats cool. I have never seen one up there before.

hi having posted on here about kingfishers and where they can be seen im still looking could you please give me directions to roughly where this was from ladys bridge which way up river
thanks

I've seen quite a few Kingfishers near there. I work in an office that overlooks the River Don. We're further along though, near Attercliffe Road area of the 5 Weirs Walk. Lots of Dragonflies in the summer too.

loads of kingfishers further up stream near ball street bridge (they're also nesting in the walls behind brooklyn works apartments)

this is also a know otter resting sight.

I used to live in cornish place at kelham island overlooking the river and would regularly be woken by the loud chrill noise a kingfisher makes - it became a daily thing to see several kingfishers - started to take it for granted. I did also spot an otter on 2 occasions just next to the undergrowth of ball bridge. amazing

The litter annoys me though. me and my husband would regularly go down onto the riverbank and clear up rubbish then ring streetforce to come and collect it- I also apent loads of time and money planting 100's of native bluebells, daffodills and snowdrops. also a few hawthorn and firethorn bushes. So if you're ever down there and spot a load of bluebells on the river bank opposite cornish place, then they were planted by moi!!!!!! :D

theres a couple at hillfoot bridge that can be seen most days,i saw two more this morning on the river up at beeley wood

loads of kingfishers further up stream near ball street bridge (they're also nesting in the walls behind brooklyn works apartments)

this is also a know otter resting sight.

I used to live in cornish place at kelham island overlooking the river and would regularly be woken by the loud chrill noise a kingfisher makes - it became a daily thing to see several kingfishers - started to take it for granted. I did also spot an otter on 2 occasions just next to the undergrowth of ball bridge. amazing

The litter annoys me though. me and my husband would regularly go down onto the riverbank and clear up rubbish then ring streetforce to come and collect it- I also apent loads of time and money planting 100's of native bluebells, daffodills and snowdrops. also a few hawthorn and firethorn bushes. So if you're ever down there and spot a load of bluebells on the river bank opposite cornish place, then they were planted by moi!!!!!! :D

Good work with the Guerilla gardening! It looks as if your efforts have paid off along there.

I too have seen the Kingfishers a fair few times along that stretch. Also there seem to be brown trout visible in the shallower section along Neepsend area and a few herons trying their luck to catch them!

hi having posted on here about kingfishers and where they can be seen im still looking could you please give me directions to roughly where this was from ladys bridge which way up river
thanks

I spotted it on the stretch between Lady's Bridge and the Iron Bridge (near tesco express). If you wander up the path next to the Home Office buildings, there is a wooded area opposite side of the river... that is where I saw it fly from.

Would be interested in the Otter spot. Where is that... I would love to see one in the wild.

I spotted it on the stretch between Lady's Bridge and the Iron Bridge (near tesco express). If you wander up the path next to the Home Office buildings, there is a wooded area opposite side of the river... that is where I saw it fly from.

Would be interested in the Otter spot. Where is that... I would love to see one in the wild.

put postcode s6 3af into google earth and it the bridge right next to that building (the building is cornish place flats where i used to live)

I've just literally got back from watching it. It was fishing by the Weir by Lady's Bridge. It's only the second time I've seen one there and I too was so chuffed at seeing one. It certainly must nest in the area as this is the second time I've seen it in as many weeks (if that). I'm also informed there are Heron in the area and I'm now regularly down there with my camera. Keep your eyes peeled for those too. Your best view is from walkway by the Irwin Mitchell buildings and Riverside apartments :)

the heron is called norman - don't you forget his name!!!!!

the heron is called norman - don't you forget his name!!!!!

:hihi: Should we call him and say Hi?

abslutely! he used to fly fast our 3rd flor flat window every morning and every evening we'd always say hi to norman!

Have you seen the family of white ducks which bully the other ones when people chuck bread in? Daddy duck is very protective and always makes sure his ladyducks eat first.
Also the resident moorhens have had chicks. And the guy who stands in the river in waders fishing will tell you theres a lot of fish in there now as well! Amazing for an inner city area

I've just literally got back from watching it. It was fishing by the Weir by Lady's Bridge. It's only the second time I've seen one there and I too was so chuffed at seeing one. It certainly must nest in the area as this is the second time I've seen it in as many weeks (if that). I'm also informed there are Heron in the area and I'm now regularly down there with my camera. Keep your eyes peeled for those too. Your best view is from walkway by the Irwin Mitchell buildings and Riverside apartments :)Tut Tut you cant fish rivers between 15 march to 15 june it says on your license if you have one could get a big fine and lose your tackle.

Tut Tut you cant fish rivers between 15 march to 15 june it says on your license if you have one could get a big fine and lose your tackle.
kblade was referring to the kingfishers
poor kingfishers will have to go hungry then - doubt they'll have a license:hihi:

kblade was referring to the kingfishers
poor kingfishers will have to go hungry then - doubt they'll have a license:hihi:

:hihi:didnt think of that

Tut Tut you cant fish rivers between 15 march to 15 june it says on your license if you have one could get a big fine and lose your tackle.


lol not me, the Kingfisher. I doubt they'll take his/her tackle away. Unless they're gonna pull his beak off :D

Besides I'm female and don't like fishing :hihi:

hi,
I saw one down by the Don in Beeley woods in Oughtibridge about a month ago- like you a saw the flash of blue dart past then it perched in a tree. me too only ever seen on TV I couldn't wait to tell the first person I walked past! :clap:

Hahahaha oooops

I seen one go over the road to a nearby pond at Epworth whilst driving then i stopped to buy a drink and a newspaper and spotted that bird with the big lips that used to have lovelly lips an then got mrsa in hospital and suddenly had big lips ??? Which was nice ;) :D:D

I have seen the Heron on many occasions... it is usually stood at the foot of the wear next to the bridge.

I have seen the Heron on many occasions... it is usually stood at the foot of the wear next to the bridge.

Thats where I was hoping to see it today, alas no *sigh*

One day I'll get him!!

herons are always visible on hilsborough pond in the park as they nest there

I have seen the Heron on many occasions... it is usually stood at the foot of the wear next to the bridge.

There's a very tame Heron that lives at Dam Flask and sits and waits patiently near to the fishermen hoping to get an easy meal.
Here's a photo I took.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14778497@N04/2492978548/

herons are always visible on hilsborough pond in the park as they nest there


Yes I've taken a few pics over there of them over recent years. Infact saw my first Heron just over in Rivelin Valley. I honestly was fascinated. To see them in flight too I've always found quite breathtaking. I'd sooooo love to capture that on camera.

It would seem that the loss of heavy engineering factory's along the banks of our local rivers is having a positive effect on the health of our local rivers
fly fishing river don sheffield
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xz1X76h5JWA

the heron is called norman - don't you forget his name!!!!!

I work in the old Whit bread brewery by ladies bridge and we all called him Harry. Think he gets confused??

Best time to see him is between 8 and 11 in the mornings, He stands under ladies bridge at the bottom of the weir. Many mornings spent watching him out of the window.

He also stands on the roof of the appartments opposite alot.

There are at least 2 herons in the Kelham weir area. B*****d crows keep dive bombing the herons though and chasing them away, sometime pusuing them in flight as well. It's not as though they even compete for the same food source - bullies.

I don't know about anybody else but i am looking forward to salmon returning to the river don in sheffield swimming up the river and leaping over the weirs like this
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xXtqGAJLoRg

There's a very tame Heron that lives at Dam Flask and sits and waits patiently near to the fishermen hoping to get an easy meal.
Here's a photo I took.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14778497@N04/2492978548/
Good picture,this (http://picasaweb.google.com/bigdave92/HeronSInHillsboroughPark/photo#5088994118271667650) is one of the two that are in Hillsborough Park.
They have reared 4 chicks for at least the last 2 years,don't know yet how many this year.

There are at least 2 herons in the Kelham weir area. B*****d crows keep dive bombing the herons though and chasing them away, sometime pusuing them in flight as well. It's not as though they even compete for the same food source - bullies.

They're probably defending their nest, as it's not unheard of for Herons to take young birds.

Thats where I was hoping to see it today, alas no *sigh*

One day I'll get him!!try very early morning in beely wood,i see it every time i go, but then again,i go around 5 a.m

It tells you all about herons here
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greyheron/index.asp