Avocet and chicks

KentYeti · #1 (**permalink**) 19-05-2011, 04:55 PM

Great to see the Avocet nest I photographed a few weeks ago has now seen the eggs hatch! Fingers crossed the littl'uns survive. I was told the one nearest the camera, (I think), in the third photo was born a few hours before I took the photo.

Photos all from a well used public viewing place on a public road.

I'll be advised by others more experienced than me if it is OK to name the location now.

PeteIsntAPuffin · #2 (**permalink**) 19-05-2011, 07:29 PM

Beautiful birds, beautiful pictures

Pipa · #3 (**permalink**) 19-05-2011, 08:09 PM

fab pics

Hobjob · #4 (**permalink**) 20-05-2011, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KentYeti

I'll be advised by others more experienced than me if it is OK to name the location now.

I can see no harm in telling people where they are now that they are hatched. Its gulls, marsh harriers and sparrowhawks you mustn't tell

Avocets babies have to find their own food at the water's edge straight after birth, so are heavily preddated. Some years Minsmere has no avocets raised to adulthood. The parents seem variably inclined to hover close.

For my money there is also no harm even when there are eggs around, as any self-respecting egg-collector will, in this day and age, be able to find avocets on nests as happily they are no longer rare.

Minsmere was founded because of avocets turning up on the deliberately flooded fields after the war when they had not nested in UK for a very long time.

actionfinch · #5 (**permalink**) 20-05-2011, 07:53 AM

top class pics ..

lovely little balls of fluff....

pammosley · #6 (**permalink**) 20-05-2011, 07:57 AM

Beautiful pics Yeti, I saw the Avocets at our local reserve last year the chicks are wonderful to watch

pressld2 · #7 (**permalink**) 20-05-2011, 08:04 AM

I agree with David. It's the eggs that are most at risk from humans as there are still a few sadsacks that will collect them. This nest was at very little risk of disturbance provided people stayed on the road and the viewing area, and the chicks are self sufficient from an early age.

I'm tempted to nip down there myself for a look but they'll probably have wandered off by now, if they've managed to avoid the gulls, herons and harriers.

Dave P.

KentYeti · #8 (**permalink**) 20-05-2011, 08:30 AM

Many thanks for the comments.

And, Dave, they were yesterday afternoon!

It's the Kent Wildlife Reserve at Oare Marshes, Kent, as you knew.

Just park in the small lay-by before you get to the car parking area. It's the last of the laybys before then. They are on a small island just across from the small dyke in front of you at that point.

I was talking to one of the founders of the reserve yesterday and I think he said it's the first time Avocets have bred there. I think there has been some surprise as to where that pair built their nest. But in a number of visits, and watching many others there too, they seem totally unconcerned about people. But if you are anything from a Red Shank up to a Herring Gull and you get close, woe betide!

Other Avocets have bred there as well this year I believe.

I hope others here can get there and see them.

I do hope the predators leave them alone, but Mother Nature will do what she does........ A food source is a food source.