Serendipity. What do you need for this sort of lexicographical magic to occur? Take an impending invasion, avian displacement and a geeky army officer and you end up with a social construct that benefits millions.
Minsmere in Suffolk is a bit wet, a lot muddy and very often windswept. In 1939 it was all of these but also flat and drained and, were there to be an invasion across the North Sea the ideal place to land, unlike the cliff encrusted Kent coast around Dover. The powers that be decided that the amelioration of this risk lay in a reflooding of the former marshes.
Nature has a way of adapting. The newly salinated water attracted sea birds not gun totting hoards, which pleased the locals and the land owner, Captain Ogilvy. It was a pleasant by-product but not, to be sure a reason to leave the flooded land alone once the war receded onto the continent. Plans were afoot to restore the mere to farmland when a startling event took place for the first time in over 100 years.
Avocets, a splendid spindly legged wander visited and, glory be, four pairs began to nest. The captain and four colleagues were beyond excited but also worried. An avocet egg would be much prized by a bird’s egg collector. So they mounted watch, using the code name ‘zebra’ to designate their charges and finally the chicks were born.
Minsmere became a reserve run by the Royal Society For The Protection of Birds and the avocet the symbol of the society.
Today millions enjoy RSPB reserves and the avocet returns to breed year on year. Walking around the perimeter recently the birds were plentiful and, yes, there were avocets. We stood in one of the convenient hides, watching the comings and goings as much as the time of our walk allowed.
Nature may be an indifferent mistress but she rarely wastes an opportunity. And for once neither has man.
TanGental 
Great to see another bird sanctuary. That is one thing I love about the UK is the abundance of birdlife and with nearly every housesit we do many bird feeders, though I am sure the local squirrel and rat population love them too 🙂
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Yep we feed anything really, even politicians…
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Funny 🙂 the question would be why? The politicians not the birds!
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We need to look after Mother nature if we want her to look after us!
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How very true. It is but a loan…
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Indeed…
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That’s marvelous, Geoff. Hugs on the wing!
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Makes me a flapper I suppose….
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What a great story. So happy the gun-toting hoards haven’t arrived.
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Nope we managed to dodge that bullet with a little help…
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What a great story! I have never seen an avocet before, so glad that was saved!
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It does warm the heart…
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What a fascinating turn of events. Why do bird egg collectors want the eggs? For the shells or the bids? The zebra-colored avocets are beautiful. I’m glad all turned out so well.
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They blow the eggs and keep the shells. My dad had a bird’s egg collection before it became illegal in the 1960s.
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How interesting, like an insect collection. I can see how such collection might interfere with the reproduction of sensitive species.
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