WANTED - Belted Kingfisher

[Andygod]

I have been trying for ages to get a picture of a belted kingfisher.  I have seen one near the boat launch in Bowmanville and another near the Darlington Nuclear Station, but I just can't seam to get close enough to get a good picture.  I have seen pictures of one taken down by the Don River close to the Queen Street bridge, but I haven`t seen the actual bird.  Does anybody know where I might have a bit more luck. Somewhere within 100 km of Oshawa would be nice.

[mac1958]

I have spotted one a number of times last summer at the Pumphouse Marsh.( behind G.L. Roberts high school) Managed to get a couple of mediocre shots.
Also at the southeast tip (closest to the beach) of the Second Marsh. Enter the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife reserve and take pathway (stone) to Cool Hollow and continue to follow to the right. I have seen one there last summer out past stick lodge.
Hope this helps your luck.

[Andygod]

Thanks for the great tip, I go down to McLaughlin Bay and Second Marsh all the time, but have never been down to Pumphouse Marsh.  I was actually thinking of walking down the Oshawa Creek Trail today so maybe I will make a bit of a detour when I get to the lake.

[mac1958]

I was at the Pumphouse today and saw a Kingfisher. Heard the call and waited and it finally took flight giving me the spotting.  Unfortunately too far away for a good pic.
Great Blue at the Pumphouse also today.

[Andygod]

I did see the kingfisher near the pumphouse but couldn't get close enough for a shot.  I didn't see the Great Blue Heron until it took off, but got a half decent picture. That turned out to be a good hike along the Oshawa Creek trail, almost 13 km by the time we got back.

[Andygod]

Walking into work this morning there were a pair of Kingfishers sitting on the handrail by our water intake, I think they are taunting me.

[Bird Brain]

Hi.  If you're ever out here in NW Mississauga, check out Lake Wabukayne (NE corner of Glen Erin Dr./Windwood Dr., behind condo and school).  Lately, there's been one at Lake Aquitaine as well - probably the same one flying back & forth from Lake Wabukayne.    Usually it's the male but one time lucked out and sighted the female!

[cbrugman]

I have seen one at Oakbank Pond in Thornhill two times. From the reply of another person on the forums it sounds like they have been seen there before.

[IronMike]

I haven't seen one yet this year but I did catch sight of one last year and managed to get a quick shot of it before it flew off



I was stalking the GBH when it landed right in front of me.

Mike

P.S.
I will say that Oakbank pond is convenient for me because it's very close, but otherwise it's not very interesting IMHO. Access to the water is too limited and is mostly surrounded by houses. YMMV

[newfoundlander61]

Tough bird to get close to but often heard. Here is the only shot I have ever managed of one and thats due to it flying directly over head .

[amack1163]

If you're still looking for these guys you can always (and I mean always) find them in Scarborough at Bluffers Park in the lagoons to the west side of the park. I was there this year when the snow was knee deep and sure enough they were still there. If you do go, best to try and reach the back part of the lagoon. Find a good spot, sit tight, wait, and be ready.

[Andygod]

I have found several places that I have confirmed there are Kingfishers, West Beach Road in Bowmanville where it crosses Bowmanville creek, Darlington Nuclear Power Station (mating pair at Coots Pond), Pumphouse Marsh in South Oshawa, Halls Road in Whitby(south end of marsh near Lake Ontario,  Frenchmans Bay in Pickering by Rotary Park on the west side.  I have personally seen all of these, but taking pictures is becoming quite the challenge.  I have some camouflage and I plan on staking out a spot somewhere people don't constantly walk their dogs.  I thought I had the perfect shot lined up the other day until some guy let his dog loose about 200 feet from me.  The dog came running straight toward me and frightened the bird away and then the guy says "Sorry I didn't see you there"   No kidding, that was kind of the point.  Anyway, I will keep trying and when I do get some pictures you can be sure I will post them.