Kingfishers in Hertford

28th November 2025

We are very fortunate in Hertford to have so many waterways passing through our boundaries including the Rivers Mimram, Beane, Rib, Old Lea and Lee Navigation as well as three substantial lakes in Panshanger Park. This is why Hertford has such a healthy Kingfisher population. But many people have already found out why they can be difficult to see.

The first reason is that they fly low and fast over the water and therefore easily missed. You often hear people talking about the "flash of blue". And if you were to see the back of a Kingfisher you would understand why, as it is a bright turquoise from the back of the neck to the tip of the tail.

The second reason is that they like to perch in a tree overhanging a river so they can stare down into the water looking for Sticklebacks and Bullheads. Unfortunately,  the Kingfishers are difficult to see when the trees are in leaf. So now we are approaching the 1st December, and nearly all the leaves have fallen, is a good time to go looking for them. Here is a series of shots I took over three hours on the Old River Lea near the town centre on the 28th November.

But you have to be quick!!!!!