Two pairs of avocets confirmed to have bred at Nottinghamshire wetland reserve

Two pairs of avocets confirmed to have bred at Nottinghamshire wetland reserve - Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has today confirmed that two pairs of avocets have bred at Besthorpe Nature Reserve, one of the wetland nature reserves which are the focus for the charity’s current Wetlands for Wildlife Appeal.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has today confirmed that two pairs of avocets, a species of bird that became extinct in the UK during the 19th century due to land drainage and persecution before making an unexpected comeback a century later during World War Two, have bred at one of the four flagship nature reserves which are the focus for the charity’s current Wetlands for Wildlife Appeal.

Each pair fledged two chicks at the charity’s Besthorpe Nature Reserve in the Trent Vale northwest of Newark last month. Whilst the birds have previously bred in the Idle Valley in the north of the county and at the RSPB’s Langford Lowfields reserve, next door to Besthorpe - successful breeding records for these scarce birds are still uncommon and usually kept under wraps until the chicks fledge to reduce the risk of disturbance and the possibility of egg theft.

Speaking about the bird’s breeding success, the Trust’s Head of Communications Erin McDaid said: “We are delighted to confirm that avocets bred successfully at Besthorpe this summer, rearing four chicks. Breeding attempts in the county are still quite rare – so efforts are made to keep their presence quiet to boost their chances of success. The success of the pairs – and others at sites including the neighbouring Langford Lowfields site and in the Idle Valley underlines the importance of creating and conserving high quality wetland habitats.”