16:36Thursday 19 May 2016
Avocet hatchlings will soon make
their first appearance in Chichester now the rare birds are breeding at the
RSPB’s Medmerry nature reserve for the third year in row.
Approximately 24 pairs of the
graceful black and white birds have nested in the reserve’s stilt pools, and
each pair is expected to lay between two and four eggs.
The long legged chicks have
already started emerging, and with the stilt pool only a short distance away
from the footpath visitors can view the incredible sights of a species classed
as extinct in the UK until 1941.
Chris Corrigan, RSPB regional
director, said: “This success story is particularly thrilling for us, as the
avocet is the emblem of the RSPB and its increase in numbers since the 1940’s
represents one of our most successful conservation and protection projects.
“Conservation work undertaken by
staff and volunteers at Medmerry is vital in increasing populations of avocets
and other species which are at risk, and it’s wonderful that visitors can get
close enough to see the chicks just beyond the protective fence.”
The RSPB managed site is home to
the only known breeding population in West Sussex.
Avocets first bred at RSPB Medmerry
in 2014, with eight pairs taking advantage of the newly created wetland
habitat. In 2015 a further 18 pairs nested.
Having bred successfully, avocets
are often faithful to a site in subsequent years, so it is likely that some of
the pairs are returning guests.
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