Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta). Male. Taken at Morecambe Bay, Lancs, on June 26th 2022.
Male. Taken at Morecambe Bay, Lancs, on June 26th 2022.
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) 
Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta). Female. Taken at Salthouse, Norfolk on June 26th 2012.
Female. Taken at Salthouse, Norfolk on June 26th 2012.
(1/500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) 
Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta). Juvenile. Taken at Salthouse, Norfolk on June 26th 2012.
Juvenile. Taken at Salthouse, Norfolk on June 26th 2012.
(1/800th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) Description
L: 42 - 46 cm; WS: 67 - 77 cm
A distinctive black-and-white wader with an upcurved bill and long pale blue legs. Males have distinct black head markings; in females these are more diffuse.
In Britain is is mostly found along the east coast in summer and river estuaries in the south-west in winter.
It breeds on flat, open seashores or shallow lagoons. In winter it favours mud flats.
The Avocet has a distinct feeding action, in which the bill is swept from side to side through water or soft mud, detecting prey by touch.
Its conservation status is amber, owing to the small breeding population of about 900 pairs.
Sightings
| 31-Jan-2024 | : | Slimbridge, Glos | (4) |
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| 28-Oct-2022 | : | Tophill Low, E. Yorks | (1) |
| 25-Jun-2022 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (6) |
| 24-Jun-2022 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (3) |
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| 31-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) |
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| 03-Feb-2020 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (8) |
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| 04-Oct-2019 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (10) |
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| 28-Jun-2018 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (12) |
| 09-Jun-2018 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (100+) |
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| 04-Jul-2016 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (2) |
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| 24-Oct-2015 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (6) |
| 23-Oct-2015 | : | Cley Marshes, Norfolk | (1) |
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| 15-May-2014 | : | Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon | (1) |
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| 29-Oct-2013 | : | Slimbridge, Glos | (4) |
| 26-Jun-2013 | : | Hickling Broad, Norfolk | (c20) |
| 26-Jun-2013 | : | How Hill, Norfolk | (10) |
| 24-Jun-2013 | : | Salthouse, Norfolk | (7) |
| 24-Jun-2013 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (70+) |
|
| 27-Jun-2012 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (40+) |
| 26-Jun-2012 | : | Salthouse, Norfolk | (3) |
| 25-Jun-2012 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (50+) |
|
| 29-Apr-2007 | : | Cagliari, Sardinia | |
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| 14-Aug-2005 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | |
| 19-May-2005 | : | Castro Marim, Portugal | (12) |
