Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Spoonbill is one of the most striking visitors to Marshside RSPB — large, white, with the extraordinary spatula-shaped bill that sweeps through shallow water to catch prey. Once extinct as a UK breeder, it returned to breed at Holkham in Norfolk and numbers have been growing steadily. Immature birds in particular roam widely in summer and autumn, and Marshside receives records most years. When one arrives it tends to stay for days, allowing excellent views.
At a Glance
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Habitat | Coastal lagoon · Estuary · Saltmarsh |
| Diet | Fish, invertebrates — sweeps bill through water in sweeping arc |
| UK population | Around 250 breeding pairs in England (expanding); amber-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Occasional visitor to Marshside — recorded increasingly regularly in recent years; a red-letter bird when present |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Marshside RSPB scrape and lagoons. Feeds by sweeping bill through shallow water.
Identification
Unmistakeable. All white, heron-sized. Flat, spatula-shaped yellow-tipped bill. Sweeps bill through water from side to side. Adult has yellow on breast and pendant crest in breeding season. Black legs.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Check any egret or heron flock at Marshside carefully for the distinctive spoon-shaped bill. Spoonbills tend to stand out even when sleeping, with the distinctive head shape visible.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Spoonbills return to breed in Britain?
Spoonbills bred in England until the 17th century, then were absent as breeders for over 350 years. They returned to breed at Holkham, Norfolk, in 2010 — the first breeding record in over three centuries. Since then numbers have grown gradually and they now breed at several UK sites. The increasing frequency of sightings at Marshside reflects the growing UK population.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.