Avocet chicks - first ones breed in Cleveland in 200 years. (Recurvirostra avosetta)

It's 200 years since Avocets last bred in my area though most years at least one or two arrive in Spring and hang around for about a week before moving on. This year six lingered of which two pairs caused great interest amongst local birders when they were seen mating and then selected scrapes. They chose to nest in one of the few places the public have access to view and right in front of the hide as well enabling many people to watch their progress. Despite at least two clutches disappearing they managed to raise eight chicks - which is pretty good considering the national average is around one chick per nest. On leaving the nest they moved to another location but still in view from public areas - just not quite so close. Nineteen days on and just one chick has disappeared - it's demise unknown. These chicks are twelve days old.