Black-winged stilts breeding in Cheshire

May 2008. A pair of rare black-winged stilts is breeding in the unlikely setting of Cheshire, many miles from their normal breeding areas in mainland Europe. The black winged stilts arrived in Cheshire in late April; this is only the seventh recorded time stilts have attempted to nest in the UK.

The RSPB have set up an 'Aren't birds brilliant!' viewing scheme in partnership with Cheshire County Council to ensure that visitors get the best possible views of this elegant, long legged bird. There will also be around the clock surveillance of the nesting site to ensure the birds are not disturbed.

Black-winged stilts
Stilts have extremely long pink legs and a long straight delicate bill. They nest commonly on mainland Europe, but are only visit Britain very rarely and have bred successfully on just four occasions. Stilts are about 35-40 cm from bill to tail. Their long legs mean they stand at anything up to 50cm tall. They have white bodies and glossy black wings. They have pointed wings and a long white "v" up the back. In flight, their long reddish-pink legs stick out like streamers beyond the tail making them very distinctive.

Stilts are mostly found on shallow coastal lagoons and lakes. While most nesting sites are along the coast in Western Europe, in the east some birds breed around upland lakes. Stilts feed on aquatic insects and other small creatures such as water snails. They also eat the adults and larvae of water beetles, dragonflies, moths and other flying insects and sometimes eat seeds of plants growing in or near water.

Stilts nest on the ground, usually close to water. The nest may be a shallow scrape or a more substantial nest built from vegetation. They normally lay between 3-5 eggs and both parents take it in turns to incubate. The chicks feed themselves soon after hatching and are able to fly after about 28 days.

Stilts made their first attempt to nest in Cheshire in 1993 but bad weather meant that they were unsuccessful. This time the weather has been on their side and early signs are looking encouraging. Experts believe the birds are now incubating several eggs.

Where to see them
They are nesting at Neumann's Flash near Marbury Country Park, part of the Northwich Woodlands.
The Aren't birds brilliant public viewing scheme will run until 29th June 2008, Mon to Sun 10-5.50. Parking is available in Witton Mill Car Park. To get there, leave M56 at junction 10, follow A559, turn right onto B5075 at higher Marston. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit (Leicester St). Take first right (signed 'household waste site'), follow road round to the car park. The viewing Scheme is fully accessible to all.

Both the neighbouring site of Ashton's flash and Neumann's flash were regenerated two years ago with £2.2 million funding from the North West Development Agency (NWDA). The area is part of 350 hectares of parkland known as the Northwich Woodlands, managed by a partnership of organisations, including Cheshire County Council.