Breeding success for avocets after 2012 flooding washout
Come see our new chicks and their proud parents at WWT Welney Wetland Centre
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The first brood of avocet chicks has hatched on the Ouse Washes, at WWT Welney Wetland Centre.
The proud parents are the first of 33 pairs to successfully hatch their eggs, and they now have three beautiful, fluffy young to show off. This iconic wetland species is easy to identify with its black and white plumage and up-turned bill. Normally choosing to breed in coastal areas, it is unusual to see a colony this far inland.
Due to severe flooding last year, the entire colony of avocets lost their nests as the rising water washed the eggs away. These birds are one of nine species of wading birds that breed on the reserve at the WWT Welney Wetland Centre.
Leigh Marshall, Centre manager for WWT Welney Wetland Centre, says:
‘It is wonderful to see these fantastic birds breeding successfully on the reserve again.
Avocets nest on bare ground very close to water, which means that they prefer to use the lagoons right in front of our hides. The Lyle hide is the best one for avocet chick viewing as we have our very own ‘Avocet island’, where the majority of the pairs are nesting’
Visitors will be able to watch the chicks being shown how to feed by their parents. The up-turned bill is swept back and forth through the water as they feed on the tiny insects that make up their diet’.
Visitors can see the avocets and their chicks close up from the hides. No specialist equipment is needed to view these young, although if visitors do want to watch them in detail there is the option to hire binoculars from the visitor centre. The visitor centre and reserve are open daily 9.30am – 5pm.
