The Common Kingfisher is a rare breeding species in Norway with about 20 records since the first in 1962. All are from southeastern Norway. The discovery of a pair copulating in suitable habitat in Sandvika near Oslo during late April, turned out to be the first confirmed breeding record for ages in Norway.
I visited Oslo last weekend, and took my bins for a walk on Saturday morning. Shortly after arrival the male showed well, briefly sitting on a branch near the nest. During the next 90 minutes both the male and female were out fishing, returning with small items in the bill. The first chicks had apparently hatched during the last days.
The size of the food items the male brought back to the nest were pretty small. Indication of recently hatched chicks?
The slow floating river proved to be perfect for a Kingfisher, with branches covering the shallow riverbed. The nest was placed below the closest trees.
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