East Suffolk Council
Rare bird 'mating ritual' captured on film on Suffolk beach
A fascinating and rare sighting of natural wonder was captured by the new Wildlife Wise Ranger team at Kessingland Beach earlier this week.
Wildlife Wise Ranger Will Dowe, was at the right place and the right time to film a pair of avocets performing their unique mating ritual. The intricate display of bowing, head wagging and water splashing, concludes with an affectionate crossing of bills as they run off together.
Avocets are a ground nesting species that breed and feed around coastal lagoons and wetlands. Easily disturbed by people and dogs, they are protected from disturbance by law (the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) and their populations on the Suffolk Coast area are designated as internationally important. They are one of the key target species for protection from disturbance by the Kessingland beach fencing which was recently funded by Wildlife Wise and co-ordinated by the RSPB.
The fenced off area aims to reduce the potential for trampling of nests and disturbance of the birds in the nesting period, which can easily cause a failed nesting attempt. The fencing is designed to ensure people can still access the beach and only covers a small area. The fence is removed once chicks have fledged.
The Wildlife Wise Ranger team captured this wonderful video footage as they carried out some visitor engagement with walkers and dog walkers to advise how to support the project by staying a good distance from the fenced off area and keeping dogs on leads.
Sam Kench, Wildlife Wise Delivery Manager commented on the sighting. “I’m thrilled that our new Ranger Will was able to capture such brilliant and fascinating behaviour just a few weeks into the job. I hope it shows people what amazing wildlife we have in Suffolk on our doorstep, with the footage recorded close to Lowestoft. We can all help to protect these beautiful birds by staying well outside of areas fenced for ground nesting birds and keeping dogs on leads when walking nearby.”
Further information about the Kessingland project.