Egrets

Bird fortunes are always changing, we have lost birds due to persecution, habitat loss, modern farming practices, egg collecting, and over development. Conversely, we have seen colonisation of some species due to natural range expansion, the provision of habitats by wildlife trusts and other conservation bodies, and due to the more recent phenomena of climate change.  

Birds which are now very familiar to us are Collared Doves. Did you know that just a century ago this species was not known outside of its native India, a very rapid range expansion occurred which resulted in Collared Doves nesting in Britain in the mid 1950’s (in Norfolk of course).

Sadly, we have seen losses of bird species too, for me, one of the saddest losses was of the Red-backed Shrike. Formerly a common breeding bird in Britain, the 20^th century saw a decline of this species, and here in Norfolk it bred for the last time in 1989, the reason for its sad demise was not due to habitat loss as typical breeding habitat is plentiful, a lack of food possibly due to the use of insecticides and pesticides, however, criminal activity played its part through illegal egg collecting.

Three species of ‘white’ Egrets occur in Britain and their arrival here is a recent phenomena. These stunning Herons were formerly persecuted in Britain by the fashion industry, their beautiful white feathers being used for various garments. Better protection, the provision of required habitats, and of course range expansion, have seen all three species doing well, increasing, and even breeding.  

The three species I am writing to you about is the Little Egret, Great White Egret, and the Cattle Egret (this is the order in which these birds arrived in Britain).  April 2024 was particularly memorable for me when all three Egret species were seen together at Bodney.

Little Egret

This small Egret was the first of the family to arrive in Britain back in the late 1980’s. Prior to this Little Egrets were only known as rare visitors.  Little Egrets are very smart little birds, this is a brilliant white bird with a long, black, dagger like bill, and long black legs with yellow feet. In flight, the trailing black legs and yellow feet are distinctive features of this bird.  The Little Egret can now be seen quite commonly in our local Breckland area, any area with water, from a marsh, riversides, ditches, and small ponds will be suitable habitats to see this species. I have even seen a Little Egret in a roadside ditch in the middle of Wymondham.  

Little Egrets often seem motionless when they stand hunched by water, however, when feeding they can run very fast when they have spotted a potential meal. One aspect of feeding behaviour which always raises a smile is seeing the bird standing in water using one foot to stir up the silt in the search for a small invertebrate morsel.  

The Little Egret can occur singly or in small flocks, I have seen up to 20 together locally. I have also seen Little Egrets pass over Watton.

Little Egret at Bodney May 2024 (An immaculate looking bird)

Great White Egret  

As the name suggests, this is a large Egret species, almost the size of the familiar Grey Heron, however, the Great White Egret is far more elegant and on the ground appears quite stately. Locally, this species inhabits wet areas such as marshes and wet meadows.  

Formerly a very rare bird from Europe the Great White Egret began to colonise Britain in the early part of the 21^st century, in the short time they have been with us they have increased rapidly and successfully bred in the UK in 2012. The Great White Egret now breeds in Norfolk.  

Great White Egrets hunt their prey with great stealth. Watch these birds as they locate prey approaching with great caution and then stab the prey with the long yellow bill.  

A large, elegant bird, the Great White Egret stands about one meter tall, it has a long sinuous neck, is all white and has long black legs. In flight, Great White Egrets differ from the smaller Little Egret by having a more powerful flight and less wavering then the Little Egret.

Great White Egret Bodney April 2024

Cattle Egret

The Cattle Egret is the most recent coloniser in Britain and first bred in 2008. This species first bred in Norfolk in 2020. Climate change and range expansion are factors for the colonisation of Cattle Egrets in Britain. I saw my first Cattle Egrets in September 2019 when I saw 8 birds together on a meadow with cattle at Holkham.  

Cattle Egrets are the smallest of the three Egret species, however, these are thick set birds with a short but powerful looking yellow bill and a definite jowl (see picture) which makes them readily identifiable. The neck is short. In the breeding season the bird has a buff crown, breast and back.  

As the name suggests, Cattle Egrets are often found with cattle and other livestock where they follow the animals and pick invertebrates disturbed by them.  

My first local observation of Cattle Egret occurred in April 2024 when a single bird was seen with a Great White Egret and a couple of Little Egrets at Bodney.

Cattle Egret Bodney April 2024 (My first 'patch' record)