The Guardian

Spoonbills cause a stir as they return to reviving wetlands

Helena Horton

With its striking long beak and elegant white plumage, the spoonbill looks as if it belongs somewhere far more exotic than the wind-swept saltmarshes of Britain. But the large wading bird is enjoying a boom in numbers as landowners improve wetland habitats and tree cover.

Once common across England and Wales, it was hunted to extinction in the two countries about 300 years ago, prized for its feathers and meat, a medieval banquet delicacy.

In 2010, a colony was discovered on the salt marshes in north Norfolk, thought to have made the journey from the Netherlands or France.

They sometimes nested on the nature reserve at Holkham estate, managed by Andrew Bloomfield. He worked with Natural England and the RSPB, among others, to ensure they came back each year. They now want to double the size of the spoonbills’ nesting area, creating new ditches and islands for the colony. Other birds such as great white, little and cattle egrets will also benefit.

This year, they boasted a record 77 young from 43 pairs of spoonbills. They bred so successfully that they have spread. Breeding pairs and colonies are found in eight locations: four in Norfolk, and one each in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Essex and Suffolk.

Last week, Bloomfield hosted a group of conservationists who manage the spoonbill populations to see if they could be boosted further. He said: “We actually have an idea of where they used to be around the country from looking at estate banquet details from the middle ages.

“It was great to have everyone who had spoonbills come together in one room. Most of them nest in trees, but there is a quirkiness to each place. You need a wood where herons and similar birds could nest, and you need plentiful food nearby. They feed on things like shrimps, prawns, sticklebacks and even eels.”

Creating, maintaining and improving wetlands creates carbon sinks as well as habitat for many animals, some of which make up the diet of rare wading birds. “To attract spoonbills it’s about creating good fresh water habitats and having areas free from disturbance where they can nest and settle,” Bloomfield said.

Environment

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2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://guardian.pressreader.com/article/282071985926681

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