A KINGFISHER is breaking all the rules at a bird sanctuary in Llanell - because a sign reading "dim pysgota" means "no fishing" in Welsh.

The beautiful male bird even uses the no fishing sign as a perch before diving into the water to bring up his catch.

Anglers are banned from catching their supper in the secluded pools at the Llanelli Wetlands Centre in South Wales.

But the cheeky kingfisher spends his entire day catching tiddlers for himself and his mate who sits on a nearby branch.

And after bringing up a minnow he then proceeds to bash it on the no fishing sign before swallowing it whole.

The kingfisher was caught in the act by amateur wildlife photographer Tony Llewellyn, who spends up to eight hours a day snapping the birds.

Tony, aged 54, said: "Most of the signs around here are bilingual but this one is only in Welsh.

"Obviously, the kingfisher doesn't undstand Welsh - perthaps he's flown in from afar.

"He's a very skillful fisherman - he and his partner never go hungry."

Painter and decorator Tony, of Killay, Swansea, has built up a relationship with the birds which see him arriving at his hide most mornings.

He said: "I love watching and photographing them - but you have to be very patient.

"You can spend all day there and get nothing - but then the next day you can come away with loads of great shots."

The kingfishers are expected to breed at the wetlands centre this spring.

An RSPB spokesman said: "Kingfishers are our most colourful species - but they are very secretive and shy.

"Each bird must eat at least its own bodyweight of fish each day - so a no fishing sign in Welsh or English is not going to deter them"