Bird spotters are flocking to see a breeding pair of balck winged stilts that have built a nest and laid eggs in Cheshire.
The wading birds which normally breed in mainland Europe are rare visitors to Britain but have set up home near Northwich.
The birds, which have long pink legs and a long straight bill and stand as high as 20in tall, are mostly found in shallow coastal lagoons and lakes.
The RSPB, say it is only the seventh time black-winged stilts are known to have tried to rear young in the UK, with previous attempts failing, often due to bad weather.
But this year, the recent mild temperatures have helped the birds and they are thought to be incubating several eggs at the Neumann’s Flash site close to Marbury Country Park,
Members of the public will be able to spot the rare sight, thanks to the RSPB's Aren't Birds Brilliant (ABB) scheme, with the help of telescopes and volunteers to point them out.
The scheme's project manager Richard Bashford said: "These elegant, long-legged birds are fascinating to watch and to think we have them in this country is incredible.
"Seeing them in the UK could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience as their appearance over here is so rare, and the RSPB will be showing as many people as possible.''
There will also be around the clock surveillance of the nesting site to ensure the birds are not disturbed.
Experts believe the birds are now incubating several eggs and say the public will be able to see the chicks when they hatch through telescopes provided at the viewing site.
Paul Winter, from the RSPB Northern England added; "Seeing stilts in Cheshire will be a once in a lifetime experience for many visitors to the country park.
"The first time I saw them, I was astonished at just how long, and pink their legs are.
‘The birds’ ‘knees’ are actually in their feathers so the middle bit of their legs is actually their ankles.
"Stilts’ legs are so long that when they sit in the nest their ankles are above their heads!
“If we are lucky and the eggs hatch, it’s going to be quite a sight watching the young learning to walk!”
Andrew Needham, Cheshire’s Environment Executive Member said; ‘Cheshire County Council is delighted to be working with the RSPB following the sighting of these rare birds at Neumann’s Flash.
"I will certainly be taking along my grandchildren to see the stilts."
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