SMALL fry might be its favourite delicacy but it looks like one unexpected visitor might be considering a change of diet.

Retired farmer John Bent was surprised to see a kingfisher standing by his teapot on the kitchen table last Thursday – but was even more amazed to have a return visit from the small, brightly coloured bird the next day.

“I was sitting in my chair having had lunch and I glanced up and saw a kingfisher on the table. When he saw me he flew out of the double doors,” he said.

“The next day at teatime he was there again but he could not fly out. I caught him easily and let him out very gently and he flew away.”

Mr Bent said the bird, which he described as no bigger than a sparrow, had a plentiful supply of food outside so could not explain why he flew indoors.

“We have a pond very close to the house and there are lots of little chub,” he said.

“He sits on a post, catches them, brings them out and swallows them head first.

“I would like to know if there is any reason why he came into the cottage. He was not sick – he was perfectly alert.”

Not even the experience of being caught could deter the bird. He was seen outside the cottage windows again on Monday but this time decided not to enter.