Wildlife at Kingfisher
To the south of the dividing stream we have the apartments, the Clubhouse, the children’s play area, the outdoor swimming pool, the barbecue area and all the facilities that make for the ideal holiday. To the north of this stream, lie sixty-five acres of some of England’s most lovely countryside.
The Kingfisher site truly is a haven of lakes, river and unspoilt valley. The area has been in the hands of the Roger’s family now for generations and the care and love that they have bestowed on this precious area is now clear for all to see.
The trees are especially magnificent, the sweeping willows an exciting example. There are wildflowers everywhere and extensive reed beds. Bird life, as a result, is rich and varied. Cuckoos, tits, warblers, woodpeckers, owls and buzzards mingle with an astonishing variety of water fowl. We’re proud of our large head of kingfishers, our grebes, swans, geese and ducks of all varieties.
Deer visit the area to drink in the evening. There’s always a chance of seeing fox and badger and the site is particularly famous for the frequent appearance of wild otters. The Wensum valley is a noted thoroughfare for these charming animals and the plethora of fish at Kingfishers means many of them stop off on their wanderings.
Whatever the season, Kingfishers presents wonderful wildlife possibilities. Enjoy the well-planned walks around the lakes. Learn from the colourful information boards and complete the free family quiz sheets that we offer in our hospitality packs. This is the perfect place to walk, learn and relax.
And don’t forget, if wildlife is your passion, it’s also ours. And there are plenty more venues for you to visit in the area. The internationally famous Pensthorpe Wild Fowl Centre is a mere ten minutes up the Fakenham Road. The Broadland Reserves are little more than forty minutes away. The Cley Reserve – in the top five of bird-watching areas in the UK – is a mere thirty-five minutes. And don’t forget you can use your Kingfisher Credit Card for purchases made at Cley Spy, the nationally famous centre for binoculars, bird scopes and outdoor accessories.
So welcome to Kingfisher’s Sanctuary. Watch the wildlife. Soak in the serenity. Feel yourself relax back into nature.
See you there,
Welcome To The Kingfisher Wildlife Diaries – John Bailey
June 22nd 2010
Peregrine Glory
Wow. Wow. Wow. Herefordshire 20th June. A glorious day in the west though in Norfolk it was dank and overcast. But what a teat lay in store for me.
In the mid-Wye valley for a full twenty minutes I watched one of the most breathtaking aerial displays I've ever witnessed. And the bird in question was a peregrine falcon.
The anguish and anger in its cries. The speed of its stoop. Its agility through the trees. The extraordinary beauty of its wingspan.
I actually happened to be on the riverbank with a group of anglers. But do you know what? The rods were put away for the entirety of the peregrine's display. No-one moved. No-one even talked much. We all just watched and wondered.
Today, I'm going to try and get a photograph for you. I'm packing my long lens just now but I don't for a moment guess the peregrine will repeat its performance. For you sake, I'm praying that it does.
June 3rd 2010
Recognizing the Egyptian Goose
It's not long ago that a holiday-maker asked me to identify an Egyptian goose. To him, it was just an ugly, scruffy-looking large duck! Personally, I think he was being a bit unfair. They look a little like a shell duck but are marginally larger. They have a pinkish bill and legs and the head and neck are pale apart from a dark patch in the eye and the collar. The breast and underneath of the bird is a brown colour with dark chestnut patches, particularly on the stomach. The back, again, is dark brown but occasionally greyish-brown inn some birds. 
I like them because within the UK, they have very much made Norfolk their own particular territory. They are rarely found far from water - hence the numbers up and down the Wensum valley - and they nest generally in old trees and stumps, often in old holes in the wood. They feed on reeds and permanent grassland but in the winter will feed on winter beet, sugar beet and potatoes.
But what's their history. They probably came to Norfolk via Africa sometime in the late 17th century. They were quite common in the 18th century too and became officially resident, as it were, in 1971 when Egyptian geese were placed on the British List.
They were first recorded in Norfolk in 1808 and in within fifty years there were large flocks at Blickling, Gunton and Holkham - none further than fifteen or twenty miles from Kingfisher here. And if you're into birding, all these locations are great places to go.
My favourite pair of Egyptians at Kingfishers have recently appeared with a single gosling. They tend to keep away from the swans but you will sometimes see them fairly close to the Canada geese.
So for me, attractive birds and a very welcome addition to the fantastic birdlife here at Kingfishers.
May 26th 2010
A Walk at Dawn
Dear potential Holiday-maker, just a word of advice here. If you're coming to Kingfisher this summer, make the effort to get up early at least once in your stay. Choose a period of warm weather and if there has been a clear night, set the alarm clock for four of five a.m. It's then that you will see the lake and the valley at its very best.
You will see the heron get up sleepily and flap its way across the water, still hungry for breakfast.
You will see the mist rising in mysterious columns. 
You will see endless shifts of light as the mists dance and then melt before the slowly-rising sun.
You will hear the reed warblers begin to wake. You will see the grebes hunting the fry in the bays.
You will hear complete and utter peace. No traffic noise. Just the sound of the lakes wakening to the new day.
You will probably see the cattle on the water meadows, their breath steaming.
You will see the bivvies of the sleeping anglers enjoying carp-filled dreams.
Look carefully and you will see tench bubbling in the Lobster Pot and carp swirling everywhere on Lily Lake.
You can even be back in bed, perhaps, at six for another couple of hours sleep and it really will have been worth the effort to enjoy that most extraordinary of hours at our lovely complex.