Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta
Length 43cm

Easily recognised by black and white plumage, long, blue legs and long, upcurved bill swept from side-to-side through water when feeding. Very local breeding species, mainly in E Anglia and present there from April to September. Symbol of RSPB and easy to see at their reserve at Minsmere, Suffolk. Outside breeding season, flocks present on estuaries in S and SW England, notably Exe in Devon.