Photographing Kingfishers at Paid Hides
Photographing a kingfisher diving for fish is one of the most exciting wildlife photography experiences available in the UK. The speed, colour, and precision of these birds make them a favourite subject for many photographers.
My own introduction to diving kingfishers came during a visit to Scottish Photography Hides, run by renowned wildlife photographer Alan McFadyen in 2018. At the time I was still relatively new to wildlife photography, and the opportunity to observe and photograph kingfishers at such close range felt extraordinary. The images I captured that day remain some of my favourites from my early years behind the camera.
Looking back now, however, I find myself reflecting more carefully on the ethics behind how some of these photographic opportunities are created.
This guide reflects on my own experience photographing kingfishers at paid hides and how my thinking about wildlife photography has evolved over time. Many wildlife photographers encounter similar opportunities early in their journey, and it can raise interesting questions about technique, ethics, and how we choose to photograph wildlife.
Kingfishers are also one of the most challenging birds to photograph naturally in the wild. They are small, incredibly fast, and often hunt along shaded riverbanks where light levels are low and backgrounds are cluttered. Even when a bird is located, the fishing dive itself happens in a fraction of a second and usually without warning. Many photographers can spend days beside rivers or lakes without capturing a clean image of a successful dive. This difficulty is one of the reasons purpose-built hides have become so popular, as they provide a controlled environment where photographers can observe and photograph behaviour that would otherwise be extremely difficult to capture consistently.
My experience using kingfisher hides
Female kingfisher with its catch
My experience using kingfisher hides
I have photographed kingfishers at two hides in the UK.
The first was Scottish Photography Hides in Dumfries, run by Alan McFadyen, whose kingfisher setup is widely regarded as one of the best in the country.
The second was a hide near Market Drayton in Shropshire run by wildlife photographer Mike Dunlevy.
Both experiences were memorable and hugely exciting. Watching a kingfisher repeatedly dive for fish at close range is something few people ever witness, and the speed of the action makes every successful image feel like an achievement.
Experiences like these helped inspire my continuing interest in wildlife photography and encouraged me to explore and photograph wildlife more widely, including across Europe and Africa.
Camera setup for diving kingfisher photography
Diving kingfisher
Most diving kingfisher hides are built around a reflection pool positioned directly in front of the hide.
Within the pool there is usually a slightly deeper section, often no larger than a bucket, where the bait fish are placed. This creates a consistent focal point in the water where the kingfisher is most likely to strike.
Because the dive happens extremely quickly, photographers normally rely on a pre-focused camera setup rather than continuous autofocus.
Cameras are typically mounted on tripod heads, ball heads or rested on beanbags and pre-focused on the centre of the deeper section of the pool. A small piece of wood with markings is briefly placed across the water so photographers can focus accurately before it is removed. Once focus is set the lens is switched to manual focus so the camera does not attempt to refocus during the dive.
From that point on, success relies largely on timing.
There are several photographic moments that can unfold in quick succession.
The sequence often begins with the kingfisher perched above the pool, watching the water below. Sometimes the bird appears almost motionless, staring intently into the reflection pool as it focuses on the fish beneath the surface. Inside the hide this moment of anticipation can trigger several false alarms as photographers prepare for the dive.
The next opportunity comes when the bird launches from the perch. If timing is right it is possible to capture the kingfisher in flight before it reaches the water.
Another key moment occurs when the bird’s beak first touches the surface of the pool.
This is followed by the dramatic instant when the kingfisher bursts back out of the water. Sometimes the bird emerges empty-billed, while on other occasions it appears with a fish held firmly in its beak.
If the dive has been successful the kingfisher will usually return to the perch and strike the fish against the branch to stun it before swallowing it whole.
Inside the hide the entire sequence is accompanied by the rapid sound of camera shutters firing continuously as photographers attempt to capture the perfect moment. This is often followed by a quick review of the back of the camera, where photographers spot a mixture of magical frames, empty shots, and partial glimpses of wings or water splashes as the bird moves faster than expected.
The exact setup varies slightly between hides.
At Scottish Photography Hides the camera is positioned inside the hide and operated using a cable release.
At the Shropshire hide I visited the camera was positioned outside the hide facing the reflection pool and triggered remotely. On that occasion I made the mistake of forgetting my remote trigger and had to rely on my camera’s mobile phone app instead. While it worked, the connection occasionally dropped and the slight delay made timing the shot more difficult.
It was a useful reminder that preparation and the right equipment can make a significant difference.
Why these hides are popular with photographers
Kingfisher emerges with its catch
The appeal of kingfisher hides is easy to understand.
They allow photographers to observe behaviour that is extremely difficult to witness in the wild and provide the opportunity to capture spectacular action images that would otherwise require enormous amounts of time and luck.
For many photographers they also provide an accessible introduction to wildlife photography. The controlled environment allows people to practise techniques such as timing, shutter speed control, and working with fast-moving subjects.
Hides can also create a shared experience where photographers spend time together observing wildlife and learning from one another.
For many people these experiences spark a deeper interest in wildlife and conservation.
The ethical question around live bait
One aspect of kingfisher hides that continues to generate debate within the wildlife photography community is the use of live bait.
In many diving kingfisher setups, small fish such as minnows are placed in the reflection pool to encourage the bird to dive repeatedly in front of the hide.
This practice allows photographers to capture reliable action images, but it also raises ethical questions.
The most obvious concern relates to the welfare of the bait fish. Some photographers also question whether repeated feeding may alter the natural behaviour of the birds.
There are also concerns around the authenticity of images captured in such controlled environments. Many major photography competitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, do not allow images taken using live bait.
At the same time it is important to recognise that supplementary feeding can also benefit wildlife.
Kingfishers have a difficult time surviving harsh winters in the UK. Extended cold spells can freeze shallow water where they normally hunt, making it extremely difficult for them to catch fish. In severe winters large numbers of kingfishers can die from starvation.
Some wildlife photographers and conservationists therefore argue that supplementary feeding can support breeding pairs, increase chick survival rates, and help birds survive difficult winter conditions.
The great escape… even a kingfisher has a bad day
Final thoughts
My own feelings about kingfisher hides have evolved over time.
On the one hand the experiences I have had at these hides were extraordinary. They allowed me to observe and photograph behaviour that I would otherwise have struggled to capture and played an important role in inspiring my journey as a wildlife photographer.
At the same time, as my understanding of wildlife behaviour and conservation has grown, I have found myself thinking more carefully about the ethics surrounding practices such as the use of live bait.
I continue to admire the work that experienced hide operators put into creating opportunities for photographers to observe wildlife at close range. Many of these setups require years of patience, knowledge of wildlife behaviour, and careful site management.
Supplementary feeding in these environments can also support kingfishers by improving breeding success and helping birds survive difficult winter conditions when natural food sources become harder to access.
For these reasons I would not rule out visiting well-run hides again in the future. They provide a unique opportunity for photographers to observe wildlife behaviour, improve their skills, and share memorable experiences with other people who care deeply about nature.
Whatever you photograph, have fun.
If you are planning your own kingfisher hide visit
• Research the hide operator and ask questions about how the setup works
• Book well in advance as popular hides can fill months ahead, especially during the breeding season
• Use fast shutter speeds of 1/4000 second or higher to freeze the kingfisher’s dive
• A telephoto lens in the 200–400mm range works well for most kingfisher hide setups
• Narrow depth of field to provide good background separation
• Be prepared for many missed frames. Timing a kingfisher dive takes practice and patience and lot of luck
• Enjoy the experience as much as the photographs. Watching these birds hunt at close range is remarkable in itself