Everyday this week we'll be helping you discover more about the true stars of #autumnwatch at RSPB Arne. Today, lets meet one of the world's most distinctive birds - the spoonbill.
The World’s Most Dinstinctive Birds by Tony Whitehead, RSPB South WestIn autumn 2015 the largest flock of spoonbills ever seen in the UK was recorded at RSPB Arne. Just out from Shipstall Hide on the flagship nature reserve keen eyed birders counted first 58, then 60 individuals. The previous high count had been the previous autumn when 48 birds were seen in Poole Harbour.
Speaking about the sighting, the RSPB’s Luke Phillips said; "Spoonbill numbers have been rising year on year in Poole Harbour and the UK, largely down to the European population rising and spreading westward. Poole Harbour is such an important area for birds and other wildlife which is why the spoonbills have decided to call it their winter home”.
The spoonbill is one of the world’s most distinctive birds. A snow white plumage and “that” bill. Which is shaped, as the name suggests, just like a long spoon. The spatulate tip – the spoony bit ... is natures answer in this species for catching and grabbing food. To do this the bill is scythed from side to side beneath the water as the bird wades. Fine sensors around the spoon can detect the slightest brush of a fish or invertebrate, which is then held with lighting quick reflexes ... amongst the fastest in the animal kingdom.
It is thought that the majority of UK spoonbills are from the Netherlands, the nearest breeding location. They are mainly here in autumn and winter, but they set up a colony for the first time in over 300 years in UK in Norfolk in 2010. Previous to this there had been a few individuals attempt. It is hoped that at some point they may nest in Dorset.
By choice the birds nest in trees and associate with other birds such as herons and cormorants. Their nest is a platform of sticks, sometimes on the ground but more commonly in the branches of trees close to water. Nests are quite close together in dense colonies. Females lay on average three or four eggs that are incubated for around 21 days. Both parents tend the chicks, which fledge at around 45 to 50 days. Spoonbills are widely distributed across Europe to India and China. The population is very large, and the long term trends in population size are not known. However threats to wetlands through drainage, pollution and alterations to land use are an ever present threat.
For more details about Terry Bagley's photography, click here.