A flock of rare birds have found their ideal des res.

Thirty-four pairs of avocets have decided Old Hall Marsh Nature Reserve, near Tollesbury, is the perfect nesting place.

And they have managed to produce around 40 chicks in the reserve.

The fine-feathered creature is not only the symbol of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), but they were one of the first birds to start breeding in the reserve in 1993.

With only 600 pairs in Britain, the reserve has been the perfect nesting spot for the birds who have settled into the lagoons out in the marshes.

Reserve warden Chris Tyas said: "It has been quite a success story for the reserve to get them to populate to such a large number. It has been a real achievement."

He added visitors wanting to see the wading birds can contact the reserve on 01621 869015.

Our namesake friends - Chris Tyas, senior warden of Old Hall Marsh Nature Reserve

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.