Freshwater pools are essential to the bird's survival

Red-necked phalaropes have not nested at the RSPB's Balranald Nature Reserve in the Western Isles since 1982, after the pools became choked with weeds.

The small depressions will be cleared out using diggers.

The project to protect the wading birds involves islanders from the crofting township of Goular.

Just a handful of red-necked phalaropes nest in other parts of the Uists and, last year, there were only 40 breeding males in the UK.

The birds are the size of a starling and find food in pools by stirring up the water with their toes and then picking insects and plants off the surface.

To have this magnificent species come back to the Balranald reserve to nest after being absent for more than two decades would be the icing on the cake Dave Beaumont RSPB

Dave Beaumont, senior reserves ecologist at RSPB Scotland, said they are a key species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which is spearheading efforts to protect endangered habitats and wildlife.

He said: "To have this magnificent species come back to the Balranald reserve to nest after being absent for more than two decades would be the icing on the cake."

The birds will also be featured on this year's BBC Springwatch programmes, running from the end of May through to June.

Crofters will play an important role by not using certain fertilizers which may be damaging to the freshwater pools.

John Allan MacLellan, clerk for Goular township, said: "Crofters in the area have been working with the RSPB for many years to help manage the nature reserve and were therefore happy to be involved with this project.