Heatwave encourages Chilean flamingos to lay early
The heatwave has brought forward the laying season of the Chilean flamingos at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre raising hopes this could be a bumper year of chicks. The last time WWT Martin Mere successfully bred Chilean flamingos was back in 2007.
The Centre, which has all two species of flamingo, celebrated its first Chilean flamingo egg last week which is much earlier in the season than the previous few years.
Since then three more have been laid and if they continue to keep laying aviculturists at the centre hope it might be the most successful breeding year in recent times. Usually, the Chilean flamingos lay their eggs much later in the season. Being born late can cause complications as with the shortening day lengths, cold weather and lack of sunlight, the chicks often fail to grow properly and unfortunately often do not survive.
Nick Brooks, Centre Manage, said: “generally when the first egg is laid the rest of the flock takes note and gets busy laying so it is really good news, we are delighted. With these nice long days, the chicks will have lots of time to get big strong and healthy before the winter sets in. We are pleased the weather has spurred them on to lay so early and think it may be a very good season.”
Flamingo eggs are incubated for 28 days so the first one is due to hatch next month.
The Centre’s Greater flamingo flock lay eggs in April so visitors can already see the chicks on the nest
For more information about WWT Martin Mere go online to www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere
