Two pairs of avocets confirmed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust have bred at one of the four flagship nature reserves, Besthorpe, that are the focus for the charity’s current Wetlands for Wildlife Appeal

Two pairs of birds that became extinct in the UK during the 19th century have bred at a nature reserve.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has confirmed the avocet, which became extinct due to land drainage and persecution before making an unexpected comeback a century later during world war two, have bred at one of the four flagship nature reserves that are the focus for the charity’s current Wetlands for Wildlife Appeal.

Each pair fledged two chicks at the charity’s Besthorpe Nature Reserve in the Trent Vale northwest of Newark last month.

Whilst the birds have previously bred in the Idle Valley in the north of the county and at the RSPB’s Langford Lowfields reserve, next door to Besthorpe - successful breeding records for these scarce birds are still uncommon and usually kept under wraps until the chicks fledge to reduce the risk of disturbance and the possibility of egg theft.

Speaking about the bird’s breeding success, the trust’s head of communications Erin McDaid said: “We are delighted to confirm that avocets bred successfully at Besthorpe this summer, rearing four chicks.

“Breeding attempts in the county are still quite rare – so efforts are made to keep their presence quiet to boost their chances of success.

“The success of the pairs – and others at sites including the neighbouring Langford Lowfields site and in the Idle Valley underlines the importance of creating and conserving high quality wetland habitats.”

Having become extinct in the 1840s due to loss of wetlands as a result of agricultural drainage and large numbers being shot, the bird represents something of a conservation success – having made a dramatic and unexpected return to the UK in 1947.

After a gap of more than a century, the birds benefitted from the flooding of coastal marshes to boost defences during world war two – providing additional habitat and secure, isolated sites in East Anglia for their unexpected return.

Having initially spread south and west in coastal areas as their numbers increased, the birds have gradually colonised inland areas and moved further north – breeding in Yorkshire in the early 1990s and in the Idle Valley over the past decade.

Erin continued: “The gradual return of the avocet is a great positive conservation story and underlines the value of the amazing network of restored former sand and gravel quarries throughout the Trent Valley – but it also illustrates the importance of careful management of these sites to ensure that scarce species have the right conditions to thrive.

“We’d also like to thank the local birdwatchers who kept an eye on the birds and kept news of their presence quiet until it was safe to announce.”

Avocets feed in shallow water, using their up-turned beak to locate small invertebrates – they also appreciate islands where they can nest and seek shelter from predators.

The trust’s Besthorpe Nature Reserve is one of four large nature reserves, covering over 1,700 acres, currently the focus of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Wetlands for Wildlife Appeal.

The charity is seeking to raise at least £45,000 to support vital ongoing management work to create and maintain varied habitats such as reedbeds, wet grassland and shallow margins to benefit a range of species including otter and bittern as well as wading birds such as oyster catchers, redshank and scarcer species such as avocet.

Speaking about the appeal Erin added: “Our large wetland sites present great potential to support nature’s recovery and provide wonderful opportunities for people to see and experience wildlife - but caring for nature reserves on this scale is a real challenge.

“Our appeal is specifically designed to raise funds for the sort of year-on-year management that benefits a range of species including waders such as the elegant and iconic avocet.

“So far we’ve raised almost £35,000 towards our target and we hope that this breeding success will encourage further donations.”