Yes, Folks - the Great White Egret of Campfield has returned! The nation can now relax!
We began to think that it had suffered the fate of most rare vagrants but it was spotted and photographed last Saturday (14th Jan 2012) at the Saltmarsh Pool by local enthusiasts. This immediately brought on a twitch - these top birders readily admit it was an easy tick for this year’s lists … you get the drift!
It had been missing from Campfield for 27 days and had not been reported elsewhere - one can only speculate. What can be safely assumed is that the recent snap of very cold weather had iced up inland fresh water and this had prompted the bird to return to our still open salt marsh and pools. It has been frequently seen and well photographed since its return.
Unfortunately, it seems to have acquired an injury in the area of its left upper wing as there is a large area of apparently stained feathers and a blood spot. The feathers in that area seem to be ruffled but the bird itself seems to be OK and has no difficulty with flight. Again, one can only speculate as to the source of its injury and the bird’s future!
Great White Egret on saltmarsh around Scargavel Point, 16th January 2012.
On saltmarsh 17th Jan showng apparent injury.