CONSERVATIONISTS are celebrating after kingfishers were born at a Weymouth reserve – the first to do so for more than 40 years.

Staff at the RSPB’s Weymouth Wetlands reserve at Radipole Lake have confirmed that the birds have successfully hatched chicks.

The birds were spotted excavating their nesting tunnel at the northern end of the site back in March.

Since then, RSPB staff and volunteers have been waiting anxiously for signs that kingfishers have been born.

Weymouth Wetlands manager Nick Tomlinson said: “We’ve had people watching the nest on an almost daily basis.

“Now we can confirm that not only are the proud parents going into the tunnel with food, they are also coming out of it with faecal sacs of droppings, which is a sure sign of live young. We’re absolutely thrilled.”

The development comes after a two-year programme of work at the reserve, digging new ditches and restoring old ones, opening up new pools and improving water quality and fish stocks.

Mr Tomlinson said: “The long-term population declines of kingfishers since 1970 are generally attributed to pollution but the water in the newly-restored areas of Radipole Lake is very clean and the sheer numbers of fish it supports, including minnows and sticklebacks, is staggering.

“They’re just the right food prey for kingfishers.

“What is even more thrilling is that this pair has chosen to nest right next to the artificial sand martin wall, in full view of the birdwatchers’ hide so people have a really good chance of seeing these exquisite birds as they go about their routine of fishing, feeding and raising their young.

“Lucky visitors may even get the chance to see the young birds as they fledge in the next few weeks.

“And, as kingfishers can have up to three broods a year, it’s a wildlife spectacle that could last well into the summer.”

Luke Phillips, the Weymouth Wetlands information officer, added “We’ll have staff and volunteers on hand to help visitors spot a kingfisher.

“The place to see them is the north hide, which is a 20-minute walk from our centre at Swannery car park.”

You can keep up to date with the happenings of the new kingfisher family on the RSPB Weymouth Wetlands blog: rspb.org.uk/weymouthwetlandsblog