Avocets

[St Germain]

On Tuesday I was travelling on the train from Newcastle to Middlesbrough. Passing some flatlands I saw two birds land in a field which I identified as avocets. I've never seen them in real life before because they are so rare to this country but I've seen them in books. I was travelling to an interview at the time and feeling a bit nervous so I thought I might have imagined it. Later, in the evening, I was watching the local news and there was a snippet about two avocets having been seen in the area. It was a good omen for the interview - I got the job.Thought I'd share this with you lot because I don't know anyone who is into ornithology.

[Ethel]

Avocets aren't as rare as they used to be in the UK - there are over 1000 resident pairs, and over 4000 every winter.

They can be easily seen along the coasts of Norfolk,Suffolk and Kent, and are now breeding in the north east.

Hopefully you will be seeing a lot more of these beautiful birds.

Congratulations on the job, by the way!

[scubadiver]

Apparently this is the second year a pair have arrived at Washington Wildfowl Park. Last year they succesfully bred.
As Ethel says, they are one species of bird that are on the increase in this country.
They aren't as common "up North" as more southerly parts of the country.

[Cetti]

That's true scubadiver, you are more likely to see them 'down south' although I wouldn't say they were common, not yet anyway.

Whether it's to do with climate change or they just can't be bothered to migrate, I don't know, but there are certainly more and more 'exotic' species preferring to stay in the the UK and even breed.

Thank you for sharing with us St Germain.Any birdy sighting or news is always well received and very exciting.

For a PS, if you want to see a winter spectacular come down to Dorset, Brownsea Island in particular. This is where the 12,000+ Avocets plus Godwits etc. over winter. The RSPB do special boat cruises around Poole Harbour - for those fortunate enough to have sea legs!

[burnhal]

I was at Titchwell in February and Avocets were arriving- numbers were around the 50 mark and a lot more expected. Best view of Avocets I have ever had was last April on a boat on the Broads- going through Breydon Water at low tide- several hundred Avocets and countless other assorted Godwits, Redshank and the like. I do volunteer wardening at Otmoor- RSPB reserve near Oxford- we had a couple of Avocets there year before last- and as Cetti is mentining oddities and rarities- we have a common crane there for the second spring running.
(Off to Bempton Cliffs next week- see a few Puffins and the like!!)