Avian superhighway: UK’s ‘pitstop’ for migrating birds seeks Unesco status

East Atlantic Flyway in England takes first step to becoming world heritage site alongside global wonders including the Galapagos and Kilimanjaro

High over the Essex coast, an ancient battle of life and death is playing out: a peregrine falcon scans the ground at Old Hall Marshes nature reserve where lapwings guard their nests. A deceit" (the collective noun for lapwings), bolts into the air to chase away the bird of prey. The furious group of expecting parents nip at the falcon's feathers until it loses interest.

This is probably the wildest part of Essex," says Kieren Alexander, the RSPB site manager, scanning the wetlands with his binoculars for more skirmishes after the lapwings settle.