One of the busiest parts of Knowsley Safari Park has been closed off after two wild oystercatchers laid claim to the area.
The wading birds, often found in freshwater and seawater terrain, settled down in the gravel part outside the Birds of Prey display area just as the Safari was preparing to open its popular summer show, Flight of the Talons.
The park has now promised the birds, which are listed as 'near threatened' on International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, will be left in peace until their chicks have hatched.
Graham Bessant, who runs Knowsley Safari’s Birds of Prey Experience, said: “This pair of Oystercatchers comes to Knowsley Safari to nest each year, although they usually choose a quiet spot on the edge of the lake. This year, they’ve selected the very centre of our display area, and like most proud parents, are keen for their offspring to be centre of attention.
“Having spotted the eggs during our outdoor preparations, we quickly brought things to a halt and cordoned off the entire area to reduce any risks of the birds being disturbed or the eggs trampled.”
There are currently around 95,500 breeding pairs of oystercatchers in the UK, according to the RSPB. The birds can be found on almost all major coasts, and can be seen in large numbers on major estuaries, such as Morecambe Bay, in the winter months. Though they are able to fly, they prefer to make their nests on the rocky ground.
The Knowsley Safari Park pair's eggs are expected to hatch in the middle of May, when the chicks will naturally migrate to an area with more shelter, such as hedgerow or bushes. Until then, the Birds of Prey display will continue inside the large indoor centre each day from 12pm.
Rachel Scott, Head of Marketing, Knowsley Safari, says: “We’re delighted to have hundreds of acres of natural habitat and new events that visitors come back to year after year. It’s not just our human guests enjoying repeat visits to the Safari, the wildlife comes back regularly too!”.
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