News Item

Distinctly patterned black and white Avocets have bred for the first time since 1994 at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve in Norfolk.

In years gone by, Avocets numbers saw a steep decline in Britain primarily due to loss of habitat.  However, at Pensthorpe, the habitat is perfect for the breeding Avocets in part due to work undertaken on the wader scrape last winter, which has seen their return and the successful breeding of four Avocets. 

“The work on the scrape has really paid off this year, which has been the best yet for Waders, including wood, green and common sandpiper, ruff, redshank, three pairs of little ringed plover and black tailed-godwit,” says Pensthorpe’s Zoo and conservation manager Tony Durkin.

 The adult pair and their fours eggs were watched by millions on this year’s Springwatch series and after successfully avoiding trouble from their wildlife neighbours, the chicks have fully-fledged from the scrape.

There are many theories about why the Avocets have had their sixteen year break from breeding at Pensthorpe but the Wensum Valley, which the reserve sits in, acts as a migration corridor for birds and over the last few years Avocets have been seen regularly, only to disappear in mid May.

“We are delighted that the Avocets have finally bred at Pensthorpe after such a long absence and hope they will return next year,” says Tony.

He adds: “Avocets form the logo of the RSPB and symbolise the bird protection movement in the UK more than any other species. “Its return in the 1940s and subsequent increase in numbers represents one of the most successful conservation and protection projects.”

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is regionally recognised as a breeding site for many species that are of limited distribution in the UK, including Little Ringed Plover, Sandmartins, and Marsh Harriers.    Pensthorpe also attracts Redshank, Greenshank, Lapwings and Bittern, as well as a wealth of warbler species and other summer migrants.