Avocet - Recurvirostra avosetta
A distinctively-patterned black and white wader with a long up-curved beak.
Strongholds are coastal lagoons on the east coast in summer and the Exe estuary in winter.
All year round.
Its return in the 1940s and subsequent increase in numbers represents one of the most successful conservation and protection projects.
Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
30 April 2013
Tim Caldicott
Rutland Water, Egleton NR
12 May 2005
Chris Lythall
Eyebrook Reservoir
07 May 2004
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
02 April 2012
female inviting the male to mate
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
02 April 2012
mating
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
19 April 2013
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Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Pied Avocet, Avocet
- Species group:
- bird
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Charadriiformes
- Family:
- Recurvirostridae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 111
- First record:
- 15/04/2003 (Tim Caldicott)
- Last record:
- 08/06/2025 (Nicholls, David)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.
Latest images
Latest records
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
20 April 2012
Avocet on lagoon four
Tim Caldicott
Stanford Reservoir
15 April 2003
Steve Mathers
Rutland Water NR lagoon 4 and environs
05 May 2017
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
02 April 2012
