First flamingo chicks hatch!

 

Caribbean flamingo chick - Simon Ellison-Burns

Two Caribbean flamingo chicks hatched in the early hours of Wednesday 25th July. This is fifteen days later than the first hatching in 2011, due to the confusing weather we’ve had this year!

Six of thirteen flamingo eggs laid were fertile, but only four adults continued to sit on nests. We might have to send the other two eggs to another centre to be fostered by parents whose own eggs were infertile.

For the first couple of days the two chicks will be brooded by their parents most of the time, although they have been spotted snuggled up in their nests! For your best chance to see them, join us on a flamingo watch at 1pm every day, where we will set up a telescope to take a closer look!

As they get older, we’ll start to see more of them. They spend the first two weeks at their parents’ side, then will spend time with each other in a “crèche”. But if you want a chance of seeing them while they’re still small you’d better be quick –flamingo chicks grow up fast - 5mm on each leg every day!

If you love flamingos, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August you can join us for flamingo fun days, where as well as our usual activities there will be extra flamingo-themed activities on offer. You can find more information at: http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/llanelli/things-to-see-and-do/events-calendar/2012/08/04/flamingo-fun-days/

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