AVOCET – Recurvirostra avosetta

As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees

Avocet gets its English and scientific names from its black cap as once worn by European advocates or lawyers. It became extinct in the UK in the mid 19th century but its successful re-colonisation in the 1940s led to its emblematic adoption as the logo of the RSPB. Its name is also derived from the Italian 'avocetta' which itself is from the Latin 'avis' meaning bird. Some historical names for Avocet include; Cobbler's Awl, Scooper, Yelper and Butterflip.

There have been around eighty Avocet reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

c.1900: (1)

One was 'obtained' sometime around this time near Thornbury but no dates are available.

1982: (5)

Three were seen at Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon I on February 27th; Two were noted in flight at Aust Warth on May 23rd.

1984: (1)

One was seen on May 2nd at Severn Beach.

1988: (4)

One was watched on November 12th at New Passage; Three were seen on November 26th at New Passage.

1989: (1)

One was seen on December 31st at Severn Beach.

1990: (5)

One was seen at Oldbury Power Station on December 16th; Four were seen on December 31st at Oldbury Power Station, one of which was present until January 6th 1991.

1991 (1)

One present at Oldbury Power Station until January 6th.

1992: (1)

One was found on October 14th at Oldbury Power Station.

1993: (1)

One was found on October 16th at New Passage.

1994: (3)

One was found at Oldbury Power Station on December 9th with three present from December 10th - 12th.

1996: (10)

From Severnside, two were reported on March 30th and were present until April 6th; One was present on May 6th; Seven were seen on May 19th.

1998: (1)

One was seen on January 10th at Severn Beach.

1999: (2)

One was reported on April 30th at Severn Beach; One found on August 7th at Oldbury Power Station remained until August 15th.

2000: (6)

One was seen at Severn Beach on May 4th; A single bird was noted on August 14th at Oldbury Power Station; Two were seen on December 2nd on Severnside; Two were noted on December 23rd on Severnside.

2001: (8)

The highest S. Gloucestershire count to date of eight individuals occurred on February 20th at Northwick Warth.

2003: (2)

There were two on the April 15th at Oldbury Power Station.

2004: (1)

A single bird was seen just south of Severn Beach at New Pill on February 22nd.

Avocet at Severn Beach. February 2004. © Paul Bowerman.

2005: (9)

Three were seen at Severn Beach on March 10th; Six were seen together until around 09:30 when they flew off west from New Passage on October 17th.

2006: (2)

One was located at around 11:00 approximately 400 metres north of Oldbury Power Station on March 13th; A colour ringed bird was noted at Northwick Warth on December 2nd at around 11:00; it was colour ringed in Loire-Atlantic, France with a large Yellow ring with 2 black stripes on the left tibia, 3 colour rings on right tibia; Green over Red over White.

Avocets at, left Oldbury Power Station. March 2006. And right Northwick Warth. December 2006. © Paul Bowerman.

2008: (9)

Five were seen at New Passage at 09:30 on February 29th and were present until at least 15:30; Four were seen at Shepperdine on April 17th;

Left, Avocets at New Passage. February 2008. © Paul Bowerman. Right, at Shepperdine. April 2008. © Matt Plenty.