When one family dropped their youngsters off at a nursery, perhaps they should have realised it was for humans only.

A pair of oystercatchers have set up home at a children’s centre at the eastern end of Sheppey.

The birds have built a nest with three spotted eggs in the car park of Beaches at the George Wharton Centre, in Warden Bay Road, Leysdown.

They arrived two weeks ago and seem to have settled in.

Centre co-ordinator James Walker said: “They get a little skittish when cars come in, but they are there most of the time.

"The female is sitting over the eggs while the male is prowling around the area, protecting the family.

“The children love them. They all come in having a look, having a stare.

“The early years practitioner has done a fact sheet for them to read and they are all very excited by them being there.”

The playgroup has a resident pheasant, but this is the first time this type of bird has been seen nesting there since it opened in February.

Mr Walker said: “Oystercatchers usually nest in the cliffs so it is quite strange to see them out in the open like this.”