What's in a logo?

Blogger: Erica Howe, Communications Manager

You can call us biased if you like, but we’re totally smitten! I know it’s the tail-end of Spring and all sorts of cute, wonderful wildlife things are happening, but these little creatures have to be among the most adorable!

Not only are they the RSPB’s iconic logo, but avocets, for all kinds of reasons, are instantly recognisable. Whether it’s their absolutely flawless, upturned beak, their masked  black head, making them look like some kind of new-age birdy super hero or perhaps it’s the blue legs that made you fall in love with this wonderful bird. Whatever your reason, there are plenty to go out and watch this summer.

Avocets are picky, some might say fussy birds, and they need just the right kind of habitat to thrive, breed and rear their chicks, so it is a privilege to have them in abundance here in the East, more specifically along the Norfolk coast. The staff at RSPB Titchwell Marsh nature reserve have been working incredibly hard to maintain just the right habitat for these elegant creatures and this summer have been thrilled to discover no less than 80 avocet nests, with nearly 30 chicks! 

Watching them at the water’s edge last week at Titchwell, left me beaming! Tiny little tennis-ball sized chicks, covered in downy fur were scurrying around already looking for food. Avocet chicks are hardy little creatures and not long after hatching can be found sweeping their beak around in search of food, mainly worms and crustaceans; a hearty meal for any young chick.

The avocet hasn’t always been this successful at breeding and surviving, it’s only really been over the last 60 or 70 years that we’ve seen a real turn in this bird’s fortune and this hasn’t been down to luck. To restore a once lost habitat, to maintain and manage it with a mix of just the right ingredients is no walk in the park. This fantastic avocet achievement along our coastline is symbolic of our conservation efforts all over the country. Simply put, none of it would happen if we didn’t have such dedicated and passionate supporters who help us give nature a voice.

The RSPB is not a shy organisation, quite apt then that this cool, calm, but confident bird is our emblem, helping us to shout about the work we do. Although the battle to ensure that our environment and the plethora of wildlife within it remains protected is ongoing, we should certainly take some time to celebrate the success of our avocet chicks. Whether reflecting on their past, their symbolic relationship with our natural world, or just simply the fact that you think their blue legs are cool, now is the perfect time to get down to the coast to see these gorgeous avocet chicks!

Avocet chick. Photo Credit: David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

Article in Eastern Daily Press on 4th June 2011.