Most spoonbills at Cley Marshes since 1940

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Visitors on a guided walk at NWT Cley Marshes were treated to an amazing sight this week as a group of 12 spoonbills were seen feeding on the scrapes. This is the highest number recorded together at Cley since the Second World War, when 17 were seen in 1940.

Following the recent hot weather and lack of water, staff at the nature reserve opened an inlet pipe that runs water on to Pat’s Pool. Stickleback fish were sucked through the pipe, attracting the spoonbills. They were also joined by 11 egrets and a spotted redshank.

The colour rings on two of the spoonbills indicated that the birds were hatched in the Netherlands. One has been recorded as far north as Caerlaverock, Scotland and Cádiz in Spain, where it spent the winter. These same two birds have regularly been on the south west coast of England, showing the distances they travel.

NWT Cley Marshes Warden, Bernard Bishop said: “What a remarkable sight! Fish are making a great recovery after the floods at Cley in recent years and watching the birds, you can really see how quickly they adapt to food supplies – they are waiting near the pipe and chasing each other for food. I’ve never seen anything like it!”

The autumn migration is now underway. So far we have seen good numbers of greenshank, spotted redshank, ruff, bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits, wood, green, common and the more unusual buff breasted sandpipers which are still on view today. With all this happening so early in the year, the wardens at Cley are expecting a good spectacle for bird watchers.

Walks with the Warden continue Saturdays and Wednesdays until the end of September. For more information or to book please call the Cley Marshes Visitor Centre on 01263 740008.

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