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Herons, Egrets & Ibis
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This is a family that seems to be bucking the general trend and increasing in number. The Grey Heron is holding its own. The Bittern is successfully fighting it's way back. All the others are new or recent arrivals to Britain and all are steadily increasing in number or frequency of visits. The Little Egret is now a common, widespread and established year round resident. They mainly feed on waterborne prey, primarily fish.
A row of Little Egret come in to roost at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.
Bittern - Always a treat to see a Bittern. There's a lot more around now than twenty or thirty years ago, but they still generate excitement when one is spotted. Quite difficult to see when standing infront of reeds. A special bird with a distinctive booming call in Spring.
Cattle Egret - This species was a real rarity until just a few years ago. It has now started to breed here and numbers have soared. As their name implies they feed amongst herds of cattle. They're smaller than a little egret, have a yellow bill and dark feet. They also get a peachy coloured flush on their breasts during the breeding season.
Glossy Ibis - Slightly smaller than a Little egret. Still a bit of a rarity but they are gradually popping up more and more frequently, and staying for longer. The photographed bird was my third sighting, at WT Upton Warren, Worcs in April. I've also seen one at Marshside in Lancs and Minsmere in Suffolk.
Great White Egret - Establishing themselves fast in this country. Just ten years ago they were a rarity. In the last couple of years I have bumped into them at eight or nine locations, Much bigger than the Little Egret, at least equalling Grey Heron in size. Their bill is usually yellow and unlike the Little their feet are the same colour as their lags.
All autumn shots. 1 - RSPB Burton Mere, 2 - SWT Doxey Marshes and 3 - Dungeness.
Grey Heron - I often find myself photographing these. They're so interesting, large and different. A bird known to just about everyone. Can be found by just about any source of fresh water. They are always an impressive sight in flight, with their huge, wide wings. Difficult to imagine sometimes that they breed in a nest in trees. Photos 6 and 10 show juveniles, that haven't developed the white neck and head and the bold black stripe from above the eye.
Little Egret - This bird probably more than any other has exploded in number since I've been birding. 25 years ago a rarity. Now you see them all over the place. We have several large breeding colonies now. A welcome addition to our fauna though. Their bright yellow feet off black lags always amaze me. See first two pics.
Spoonbill - Yet another once rare migrant that is now frequently reported, and found somewhere year round. A flock spend every Winter on Poole Harbour. When I saw them they were too distant for a decent photo. Odd ones crop up at many locations. These photos were taken at RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk.
White Stork - Very large and easily recognised bird. Recently reintroduced at Knepp Wildland in Sussex, with great success. After a 600 year breeding absence in the UK. We visited in October 2022 and watched a flock of 20+ birds, with ease. Amazing to see a bird like this re-establish here.
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