An elegant Pied Avocet foraging along the shores of Lake Magadi in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
From Tanzania to Great Britain: The Miraculous Comeback of the Pied Avocet
It is not unusual to spot a pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) foraging along the shores of Lake Magadi in Tanzania’s famous Ngorongoro Crater. With its ideal climate, this African site is a haven for both migratory waterbirds and year-round inhabitants. I was delighted to capture the image above earlier this year.
Fortunately, this striking wader can be spotted in England as well. But its presence there was not always guaranteed.
The Disappearance and Unexpected Lifeline
By 1840, the pied avocet had completely disappeared in Great Britain due to widespread wetland drainage and habitat loss.
However, an unexpected lifeline arrived during World War II. To deter a potential German invasion, coastal pastures northeast of London were purposely flooded. This military tactic accidentally created the perfect, shallow wetland habitat the birds desperately needed.
A 24-Hour Guard and the Boom at RSPB Minsmere
In 1947, a few breeding pairs migrated from the continent to the Suffolk coast. Recognizing the fragility of the moment, dedicated locals launched an intensive, 24-hour guard protection program to keep the nesting birds safe (from rats, among other egg-predators!).
By pioneering innovative habitat management techniques—such as creating artificial shallow lagoons and custom nesting islands—conservationists helped the population boom. Today, Great Britain is home to nearly 2,000 breeding pairs. The original reclaimed area, RSPB Minsmere, is a protected reserve and home to some of Englands rarest birds as well as other creatures such as otters and red deer.
A Living Symbol of Hope
The return of the avocet to England is a great wildlife comeback story. This triumph is exactly why the elegant wading bird was chosen as the official logo for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Decades later, the avocet remains a worldwide symbol of hope for global wetland conservation and habitat protection.
A pied avocet with its recurved bill graces the RSPB logo.
Founded in 1889, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is the oldest bird conservation charity in the world. Find their website here.
To learn more about the pied avocet see our post, “The Bill of the Pied Avocet.”
I am in the UK at the moment, but am headed back to Tanzania June 3-13, 2027. Lake Victoria, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, are on our agenda as we photo-hunt big cats, small birds, and everything in-between. We are now receiving early registrations for this exclusive small-group adventure. See the link here for brochure and more information or email us at BibleLandExplorer@gmail.com.