🦩Greater Flamingo chicks have hatched at Martin Mere Wetland Centre. The new arrivals started to hatch from the 13th May at the centre in Burscough, and they are now off their nests and walking around.

The chicks do not have the iconic pink-coloured feathers as the adults do. Instead, they have grey down to provide them with lots of insulation to keep them warm and will not get their pink feathers until they are around two to four years old.

Greater flamingo chicks stay in their nests for around five to 12 days. Once they are able to walk and swim, they will join a group of young flamingos called a crèche, where they are looked after by an adult but return to their parents to be fed.

Victoria Fellowes, Deputy Centre Manager, said: “We can’t wait to watch them grow over the summer period and hope our visitors are as excited as we are. You can get a closer look at them at our centre each day from 9:30am and 6pm.”

The fluffy chicks are beginning to walk. Image: Gary Gray

The birds will get their pink feathers when they are two-four years old. Image: Gary Gray

👩‍⚕️ More than 160 nurses are being recruited from overseas to supplement staffing levels at Liverpool's hospitals. Medical professionals from the United Arab Emirates and south India are to be drafted in to increase nursing capacity. A report to the board on safe staffing said a turning point for staffing levels had been the opening of the Royal and the transfer of clinical services to Aintree University Hospital.

🚉 Birkdale station has been named 'best-loved' in the North West after making it through to the semi-finals of the World Cup of Stations. Community Rail Network host the annual tournament, shining a spotlight on the work of dedicated volunteers.

Flamingo chicks hatch at Martin Mere Wetland Centre