Tuesday 30 July 2013

Little Egret.

A sighting 25 years ago of any white Heron in the UK would have been greeted with definite excitement amongst the birding fraternity. The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) with its attractive white plumes, black legs and bill and yellow feet first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Its initial colonisation throughout various coastal locations in the south followed as a result of its natural range expansion into western and northern France in previous decades. It is now a resident breeder and a passage migrant with an estimated 666 pairs in the summer (2005-2009) and around 4,500 individuals present during the winter.

I have a clear memory of finding my first Little Egret in an estuary on the south coast in 1994 after spending ages scanning a distant reed bed and locking onto a white blob which eventually took flight and then promptly disappeared again. Now on any visit I would be upset if I didn't see a decent number and I still get excited when there is an opportunity to watch this elegant Egret going about its daily feeding ritual. So here are a few images from the recent archives.



  


28 comments:

  1. he is like what we call a snowy egret here in the states.

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  2. Great photos of the egret and its reflection.Very interesting how its range has increased.I also see them very frequently around here in Australia.

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  3. Wonderful Egret.. Elegant and beauty.. Congrats for the pictures.. Cheers!!!

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  4. Pretty shots of your Little Egret!

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  5. Great reflection shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Cannada.

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  6. beautiful, pristine looking and I love the little head-dress feathers

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  7. So graceful. So beautiful Frank.

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  8. A cracking set of photos Frank, I love them all.
    All the best Gordon.

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  9. Hi Frank ...Just stunning looking these birds are, and so are your photo's!!
    I can see why you get excited every time!! : )
    Grace

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  10. Oh gosh Frank, these are just gorgeous! Beautful reflections too!

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  11. Cracking images of a super bird Frank,Yes they certainly have expanded over the past few years, I remember my first one on Stithians Res many years ago, and now they are everywhere here in Cornwall.

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  12. Oh! Beautiful pictures of the Little Egret Frank.It's such an eligant bird, more often seen here in the south of Portugal.

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  13. A great set of images of one of our rather more 'exotic' birds Frank. It's always interesting to watch them close up when they're 'paddling' the water to stir up some food...[;o)

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  14. I remember I found my first one on the Tamar estuary - I thought I'd found some form of mega rarity! The local RSPB office soon disavowed me of that idea - but it was still a good day!

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW

    Stewart M - Melbourne

    PS: I added another image to the WBW - I forgot last night!

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  15. Stunning pictures! It`s relly good to hear this bird is breading well. Thank you for sharing :)

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  16. Such a gorgeous bird. Beautiful reflections.

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  17. So beautiful! Your photos are just wonderful.

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  18. Very nice photos of this beautiful bird!
    I envy you who can see them so often!
    I've seen one white egret once here in Sweden!
    Greetings Pia

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  19. Great photos, and very interesting history on this egret in the UK. Is the great blue heron a normal visitor? I had to smile; I currently have a GBH as my header photo as well. :)

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  20. Hello again.
    Great great pictures again.
    Hug from Karin

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  21. 25 years ago was about the time I saw my first egret. Pagham Harbour if my memory serves me correct. Bosham is a good place you don't even have to get out of the car.

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  22. Very nice, Frank. I have never seen a little egret.

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  23. Wonderful images, Frank, and interesting history!

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  24. Hi Everyone. I never tire of watching this delightful species. Many thanks for all your complimentary comments. Cheers FAB.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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