King of the canal

At the turn of the year a friend’s teenage daughter spotted a kingfisher on the canal near where we all live. Not long after I spotted it in the same place and for a couple of days we sent blurry photos back and forward. This part of the canal is route 75 of the National Cycle Network and also John Muir Way. I can’t believe it’s been 5 months since I walked the John Muir Way, but during that walk I repeatedly saw kingfishers – I never tire of them. For my Conserver Award, I’ve logged this most recent sighting with iRecord and as part of my stitch-and-share plan, I’ve popped a little kingfisher on a bench on the towpath near where I saw it. I’ll check back to make sure it doesn’t become litter, but even if no one takes it home, hopefully it’ll raise awareness of the John Muir Way and the John Muir Award. This year I’m attempting #My200BirdYear – a challenge to see 200 birds in one year. January’s kingfisher went on the list which is now at 81. It started quickly, and will slow down, but it’s a good motivator to keep noticing what’s around me on walks and cycles. After my trip to the bench, I walked along the John Muir Way for an hour to deliver a present to a friend, keeping an eye out for birds. I also took a #2minutecleanup bag to litterpick on the way home – but there was almost nothing to collect. I know a local volunteer, Stan, is very active here so there was very little for me to do today apart from walk in the sun. :)