A dog walker has spotted an elusive bird in East Lancashire and hundreds of social media users are excited.
Calvin Lee Haynes was walking his dog in Darwen’s Sunnyhurst Wood when he spotted a flash of blue.
He managed to snap a rare picture of a kingfisher which has been described as an elusive and “secretive” bird.
Calvin said: “I am a dog walker in Sunnyhurst at least three times a week. I was walking past the kiosk when I saw a flicker of blue – I know the kingfisher has blue feathers.
“It was lovely to see and I felt very privileged and excited to see one."
A spokesperson for the East Lancashire Wildlife Trust (ELWT) said there are around 400 kingfishers on waterways in Lancashire, which are often spotted near Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve in Oswaldtwistle, Eagley Brook, and a number of times on the Goit in Brinscall.
Kingfishers are also said to be nesting at Brockholes and Mere Sands Wood.
A spokesperson for the ELWT said: “They are quite secretive birds but unmistakeable if you see a flash of blue and orange, flying along a river.
"They have long bills, which they use as they expertly capture fish in rivers, streams and lakes.
“Their backs are electric blue and their chests orange, with a blue cap on their heads. They move rapidly when looking for food.
“A lot of people expect them to be bigger, but they are just a bit bigger than a sparrow.
“Because they are secretive and have large territories they are notoriously difficult to record.
"Birders tell us that they have a favourite perch when they are fledglings in spring, so you might be lucky enough to spot one.”
According to the ELWT, kingfishers are badly affected by freezing conditions, which make hunting for fish difficult.
They said: “This week may not be the ideal to spot one, hopefully any wintery weather will be short-lived.
"Their numbers will increase if the quality of our rivers improves, and food supplies increase.
“If people get out and walk along rivers and lakes it will increase their chances of seeing kingfishers and other wildlife.”
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