The kingfisher (Sterna hirundo) is a species of the kingfisher family, also classified under the Gullidae, which regularly flies through the Turčianska basin during migration. In the past, occasionally isolated pairs also nested on the old riverbed of the Váh River in the section Krpeľany – Lipovec, but mostly unsuccessfully, as the flows in the Váh riverbed are very unstable – fluctuating and the nests or hatchlings were destroyed by torrential water.
During the construction of the motorway in the section Dubná skala – Trusalová, several suitable locations were gradually created, interesting for the river fisherman. The birds reacted to this in a relatively short time by nesting. (it took about 2 – 3 years) On one of the dug earthworks (gravel pits) there are currently 4-5 pairs of kingfishers. They mainly use gravel benches and islands, which were built artificially by human activity during the aforementioned construction of the D1 motorway.
Last year, only 2 pairs nested at the site. Of these, only one pair successfully brought out the young. That is why we were very pleased with this year’s successful nesting of 4 pairs. The colony is slowly growing and for the area of Turiec and the compensation area of the Veľká Fatra National Park Administration, this means a new – stable nesting site. Interestingly, fishermen have to fly quite far to the bed of the old Váh River for food. The gravel pits, where they currently nest, do not have enough small fish yet. However, this is no problem for an excellent flyer, which the river fisherman undoubtedly is.
River fishermen spend a lot of time in the air. It continuously hovers above the water surface in a rowing flight and only sits down for a short time to rest and watch the nesting colony. Unique is their move to wintering grounds, where they cover a route of more than 10,000 km without a break. The kingfisher is a diving bird. With a fluttering flight, they direct themselves at the prey, it “hangs” in the air for a while, and then thrusts straight into the water. Thus, it captures small fish, tadpoles, frogs and does not disdain aquatic insects, especially when the chicks are just after hatching. The number of eggs in a clutch is usually 3. The eggs have a typical pear-shaped shape, so that they always roll around their axis on a flat surface, similar to waders. The chicks can swim as soon as they hatch and can camouflage themselves very well among stones and low vegetation. They start flying only in 30 days. River kingfishers are very brave birds. They defend their nesting sites with screams and fierce air raids. They do not attack humans, but the dog or large species of seagulls are repelled by air raids and strong stinging of their beaks.
Text and photos: Ing. Juraj Žiak
