The adorable newly hatched greater flamingo chicks at WWT Martin Were Wetland Centre in Ormskirk. (Lisa Wilkinson-Gamble via SWNS)
By Emily Phillips
Adorable photos show newborn greater flamingo chicks exploring their new surroundings after hatching at a nature reserve.
Martin Were Wetland Centre in Ormskirk, Lancs., welcomed the new arrivals between late April and early May, which are easily identified by their soft grey down feathers.
As they grow, they will gradually develop their famous pink coloring and curved beaks – which will mean they can start filter feeding foods like brine shrimp, insect larvae and algae.
The chicks gather together in a “crèche” - a form of flamingo day care where a small group of adults act as babysitters while the chicks stay close by.
(Lisa Wilkinson-Gamble via SWNS)
Victoria Fellowes, visitor experience manager at Martin Mare, said: “Flamingos at Martin Mere have been wowing visitors since not long after opening in 1975.
“Some of the flamingos in the flock are even around 50 years in age.
“We’ve seen generations of chicks successfully hatch into the flock, and we’re hopeful for many more years of adorable chicks to come”.
The fluffy new hatchlings have come at the perfect time for families wishing to pay them a visit over the May half term (May 23 – May 31).