Stunning images of one of the UK's best-loved bird species have been shared after they were taken at the Hogsmill River in Ewell recently.

Photographer Emma Barker, who shared the images with the Surrey Comet, said that the kingfisher had been named 'Elvis' by residents in the area and was quite a common sight long Ewell's stretch of the Hogsmill River.

The beautiful snaps showed the Ewell 'celebrity' Elvis in full flight and perching on trees over the river, displaying the kingfisher's iconic blue and orange plumage.

"I often see them on the river, and a few people had mentioned they had seen him there regularly, he seems to be there all the time!

"They are so tiny, you have to know what you're looking for. It's blink and you'll miss it, normally when you see them it's just a blue flash. But they are amazing little birds," Emma said of sighting the kingfisher, a bird who weighs between 30 and 40 grams and measures just 16 cm in length on average according to the RSPB.

Surrey Comet: Elvis the Kingfisher. Image: Emma Barker / @bitsnbirdsElvis the Kingfisher. Image: Emma Barker / @bitsnbirds

The Ewell resident said frequent trips into Ewell's countryside, like those that led to her photographing Elvis, had been a benefit and help during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.

"I live locally and with the lockdown there's a lot more time to get out and about...It's really nice to get out and about.

"Obviously we're keeping local at the moment but being able to get out into nature is so much better than being trapped inside," Emma said.

Check out Emma's Instagram @bitsnbirds for more photographs.

Surrey Comet: Elvis the Kingfisher at the Hogsmill River in Ewell. Image: Emma Barker / @bitsnbirdsElvis the Kingfisher at the Hogsmill River in Ewell. Image: Emma Barker / @bitsnbirds