30-05-2025
Delight as photographers capture majestic bird spotted in Bolton
Keen photographers have captured stunning pictures of the majestic Kingfisher in Bolton, which is home to the aptly named Kingfisher trail.
Although Kingfishers are widespread and can be found on almost any river bank or canal, they are, according to The Wildlife Trusts, 'surprisingly tricky to spot'.
Members of The Bolton News Camera Club have caught the river bird in Smithills.
Kingfishers, with their stunning colours. fly rapidly, low over water, and hunt fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water's surface.
This beautiful photo captures a Kingfisher in Smithills. (Image: Lisa Rayner) The above photograph by Lisa Rayner show a fledged Kingfisher, which was captured in Smithills.
Smithills ward Cllr Sue Priest said: 'We are very lucky to have such a wealth of green spaces in Smithills.
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'I know that we have had a number of sightings around the area, including at the Doffcocker Lodge and around Smithills Hall Estate too.
This Kingfisher was also spotted in Bolton. (Image: Ewa Heska) 'The Smithills Community Alliance have been working tirelessly to rehabilitate wildlife in the area, such as putting newts back into the ponds and restoring walkways.
'Our local groups have made a brilliant difference to out green spaces here at Smithills.'
Chair of the community group, Friends of Longsight Park, home of the Kingfisher Trail, Jane Wilcock said: 'Kingfishers are distinctive fish feeding birds.
'There have been plenty of sightings around the borough. I know that they have been spotted down Bradshaw Valley, Jumbles Reservoir, Longsight Park and of course the famous Kingfisher trail.'
Bolton's famous Kingfisher Trail consists of a scenic 14-mile route connecting the rural West Pennine Moors to the centres of Bury, Bolton and Salford.
Bolton's 14-mile Kingfisher trail. (Image: Nick Haworth) The trail connects sites including Ringley Woods, Philips Park, Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, Moses Gate Country Park, Leverhulme Park and Upper Bradshaw Valley Nature Reserve.
The trail was originally set up by the Croal-Irwell Valley Ranger Service in the early 1990s to highlight the incredible abundance of wildlife reclaiming a once industrial valley.
Sights on the King Fisher Trail include Bradshaw Hall, Rock Hall Firwood Fold Meccano Bridge,
The Kingfisher Trail is home to a wide range of wildlife species and provides a recreation resource which is important for the region's people, wildlife and heritage.
Jane added: 'Kingfishers usually have more muted markings when they are younger, these become brighter with age.
'People usually only see a flash of a blue arrow; they can be quite speedy!
'Although the birds have always been seen around the Bolton borough, I would say that sightings are becoming more frequent – although I'm not sure if this is because people are remembering to keep an eye out for them!'
Secretary of the Bradshaw Brook Fly Fishing Club John Frazer: 'The group has been undergoing insect monitoring since last year, which can to monitor the health of the river.
'A healthy insect population would indicate a healthy fish population, which therefore means that Kingfishers will have an abundance of food.'
