Beautiful kingfisher spotted by guests at holiday retreat in Woodhall Spa

The sighting came after photographer Anthony Cullen, working closely with Bainland Lodge Retreats, captured a series of striking images of the resident bird.

The brightly coloured kingfisher has become a regular and much-loved presence around The Ponds area of the Bainland estate.

James Trafford, estate manager at Bainland, commented: “Creating a wonderful experience for our guests is incredibly important to us. But so is creating the perfect habitat for wildlife.

"Seeing a kingfisher thrive on our estate really highlights the success of our rewilding efforts and shows that Bainland is a healthy, natural environment where wildlife can flourish.”

Kingfishers are native to the UK but are often difficult to spot because of their small size, fast flight and preference for quiet, clean freshwater environments.

Typically found along rivers, lakes, and ponds, their presence is widely regarded as a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

With its ponds and immaculately maintained woodland, the 45-acre estate of Bainland Lodge Retreats has been transformed into a sanctuary perfect for wildlife.

So much so that the venue has issued guests and wildlife enthusiasts, hoping to catch a glimpse of a kingfisher, with these three helpful tips:

FOLLOW the water – kingfishers rely on clean, still or slow-moving freshwater to hunt fish. Ponds, lakes and riverbanks are ideal places to look.

LOOK for a flash of colour -- often spotted as a quick streak of blue darting over the water, kingfishers can be easy to miss. Keeping an eye out for sudden movement can help you spot one.

STAY silent -- kingfishers are easily startled. Remaining still and observing quietly from a distance increases your chances of seeing one settled on a branch.

With its luxury lodges and family villas, Bainland not only prides itself as a picture-perfect rural getaway but also has sustainability at its core, with the aim of enhancing the beautiful landscape.