Martin’s calling for a wild time

May 2 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

Environment Editor Tony Henderson talks to a man whose life was changed by the call of the wild.

Return of the avocets

WEARSIDE is on the brink of setting a UK wildlife record. In July 2006 a pair of avocets – which traditionally nest in southern England – hatched two chicks on the lake at the Washington Wetland Centre, which was the most northerly UK hatching ever recorded.

The same pair returned the following spring, successfully hatching three more chicks, and a further two were born last year.

This year the pair are back on the water near Tern Island and have now been joined by another two avocets.

If both pairs successfully nest, then WWT Washington will be the site of the most northerly breeding colony of avocets in the UK.

Biodiversity warden Giselle Eagle said: “This is brilliant news. A single avocet male arrived shortly after the existing pair, but was chased off by them. He has now returned with a female and they are checking out potential nest sites on the island.

“Providing they have a successful nest, avocets become loyal to the same site for their entire lives, so hopefully this new pair will be returning to WWT Washington for many years to come.

“The return of the first avocets in 2007 was a great sign, showing how vital successful wetland conservation projects can be in supporting rare wildlife.”

The avocet was declared extinct as a breeding bird in the UK in 1842 but has since recovered, although there are fewer than 900 pairs in the UK.

The distinctive waders have striking black and white plumage and upwardly-curving beaks.

Visitors can watch the avocets from the four hides at Wader Lake and also via CCTV from Waterside Cafe.

Meanwhile, a record-breaking flock of 14 avocets has arrived on the Tees and at least one pair is already incubating eggs. There are hopes they could now become a new attraction for the Tees Valley.

It’s only the second time that avocets have nested on Teesside. Last year two pairs nested and raised eight chicks.

The lagoon where the avocets are nesting was created in 1999 by the Industry and Nature Conservation Association with funding from Natural England and the Northumbrian Water Environmental Trust and is managed for wildlife by SABIC UK.

The presence of several little egrets, which are making northward colonisation from southern Europe into the UK is adding to the exotic wildlife feel of the Tees.