Avocet

Recurvirostra avosetta

My first Avocets!

Almost impossible to choose a blip for today after a visit to Washington Wetland Centre. They have assembled a collection of the worlds cutest geese and ducks, as well as having fantastic habitats for wild birds, including these beautiful Avocets. They also have flamingoes. Flamingoes are brilliant.

I saw the Avocets feeding by swishing their fantastic bills from side to side in the water, as well as just by shoving their heads underwater. They also seem like big bullies and chased the ducks about! There were a few chicks too, so cute!

Just a wonderful place to visit. Go early as there is so much to see you will want to spend all day there. Ruddy Shelduck which made me think of Chamaeleo. :-)

The bus trip to and from Washington was also enhanced by a chirpy Geordie (or Maccam) voiceover, announcing each stop with great exuberance.