Wednesday 5 June 2024

Wild Bird Wednesday 619 - Avocet

The Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) or just Avocet to me is a bird with a remarkable story in the UK.  By the 19th century this species was extinct in the UK: lost to habitat change, egg collectors and hunting.

But during the Second World War the species recolonised beaches and marshes in East Anglia that had been flooded to prevent them being used as potential landing stages for invasion.  By 1947 the species had started to once more breed in the UK. Since that time the population of Avocets in the UK has expanded greatly.  Although less than 2000 pairs breed in the summer, the winter population exceeds 7000 and is even considered 'locally common' in some areas.  

This is a remarkable success story.  











As you can see, with its upturned beak and bold black and white colours it's a striking bird.

As a bit of a challenge - see if you can spot and identify some of the other species that have sneaked into some of these pictures.

As ever, to join in with WBW click on the link below.  SM


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10 comments:

  1. Large number in birds are fabulous

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  2. Fun to be here Stewart, Aloha

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  3. A really lovely bird and how marvellous to see so many Stewart. Thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a great week ahead

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  4. Hari OM
    They are graceful waders... and in the first shot, I believe there is Canada Goose and Turnstone in the mix... YAM xx

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  5. Avocets of all kinds are such elegant looking birds. I love how our avocets seem to feed in flocks and all seem to be moving together sometimes. I'd love to see a Pied Avocet.

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  6. Glad to hear a success story! Great shots.

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  7. Beautiful photos. So many avocets. Here they are breeding at the moment. Have a great weekend !

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  8. That is A Lot!! And it is great to have a birding success story. These look to be the same as the Avocets we see here in the States -- never that many. They have beautiful brown where the black is during breeding season.

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