One of the newer nature reserves in Bucks, Manor Farm NR (Milton Keynes) really turned up trumps when a pair of Black-winged Stilts turned up on 24th April. Ted Reed discovered the birds, soon put the word out which enabled a good number of birders to see these elegant, very long legged wading birds. Unfortunately the birds could not be found the following morning. During their visit they moved around quite a bit which made it a bit of a challenge for the photographers.
The species is not uncommon in southern Europe but a rare bird in the UK and this is only the second record for Buckinghamshire. The previous record was of a pair at Willen Lake from 7th until 18th June 1988.
Male Black-winged Stilt (Photo © Lucy Flower)
Black-winged Stilt female (Photo © Lucy Flower)
Black-winged Stilts copulating in what is a tricky balancing manoeuvre! (Photo © Lucy Flower
Female Black-winged Stilt (Photo © Mark Appleton)
Male and female Stilts (Photo © Paul Gibbs)