The Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is a bird that has become re-established in the UK in the years since I migrated the Australia (this is not cause and effect I hope!)
Spoonbills were a familiar sight in the UK until16th century. Since that time the now well understood impact of the drainage of wetland habitats and hunting resulted their extinction as a breeding bird in the UK.
Spoonbills first attempted to breed again in the UK in the late 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2010 that the first regular colony of breeding Spoonbills established at Holkham National Nature Reserve in Norfolk (the largest and oldest UK colony). Previously, the last recorded nesting Spoonbill was in Suffolk in 1668.
This bird is a juvenile bird, and does not yet have the black bill of an adult. This bird had been seen regularly at the Slimbridge WWF trust for at a number of weeks before I saw it in mid April. There is more than a decent possibility that this bird is from the colony breeding in Norfolk.
I rather like the yoga moves that this bird is practicing!
As ever to join in with WBW click on the link below. Cheers SM
Thank you Stewart. In a busy, hectic life. I always look forward to our get-together. Thank you. Have a brilliant week. Aloha
ReplyDeleteThank you Stewart. In a busy, hectic life. I always look forward to our get-together. Thank you. Have a brilliant week. Aloha
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteFancies joining the Royal Ballet, perhaps?!! Great shots of those moves... YAM xx
Spoonbills are enigmatic birds. Sadly, in Canada, we have none, but no shortage of politicians with big mouths.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series of photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the Spoonbill Always lovely to see these birds and the way they find food. Thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a wonderful week ahead
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see the Eurasian Spoonbill making a comeback in the UK after centuries—your sighting of the juvenile at Slimbridge feels like a hopeful glimpse into a recovering natural heritage
ReplyDeleteSuch a beauty. Feeding must be an learning process.
ReplyDeleteLove the action shots! "Your" spoonbills seem a bit more graceful than ours...the Roseate's think pretty pink is all they need to be beautiful! Really, thank you for showing these and for sharing the good news about their comeback We need all the hope we can get these days
ReplyDeletebeautiful...
ReplyDeletethis bird visits our area just sometimes.
So that’s yoga? I thought it was some sort of strange dance.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. The bird seems to practice yoga.
ReplyDeleteThrills me to hear they are becoming re-established in the UK!
ReplyDeleteI love how you bring history and the present together with the Spoonbill’s story—such a comeback tale. And that yoga pose really is something! Just shared a new post. Check it out. Thank you.
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