While out walking in the Rutland area yesterday we saw a white, Heron-type bird (but about half the size of a Grey Heron) standing by a small stream. I did not have a camera on me, so sorry - no photo. Looking in my bird guide it looks like a Little Egret, but is it possible that one of these could be inland and as far north as Rutland?
LadyGrey While out walking in the Rutland area yesterday we saw a white, Heron-type bird (but about half the size of a Grey Heron) standing by a small stream. I did not have a camera on me, so sorry - no photo. Looking in my bird guide it looks like a Little Egret, but is it possible that one of these could be inland and as far north as Rutland?
Hi LadyGrey,
Yes, it's very possible. I go to Rutland Water for the British Birdwatching Fair each year and usually see a few Little Egrets at Egleton nature reserve. This species has no particular tie to the coast , and has spread northwards at an impressive rate since first breeding in the UK a couple of decades ago :)
psst, want to see my blog? http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
Welcome to the forum!
I've looked up a note I wrote about a trip to Rutland Water in the summer and I saw little egrets then, and the commentator on the cruise didn't suggest they were at all unusual, so I guess they are part of the scene in Rutland.
Hi LadyGrey and welcome to the Forum. Enjoy yourself here
Yes, a Little Egret comes to mind from the description that you have given here
I am another Rutland Water (Bird Fair) visitor, and go to Rutland a few times a year to do some birding. Dave and I do not live too far away from Rutland so that is a good thing.
Never mind about the photo..... there are always other chances of a photos. Seeing the bird in its glory will bring a smile onto anyone face, anytime ....... and the buzz it gives you when you see birds you have not seen before.
Look forward to lots more chats with you
Regards and Dave
Hi,
LadyGrey,i was out walking today in Corby and saw a little egret in our local brook,which isnt far from the town centre.
First time i have seen one in Corby,so i definately think they have moved inland.
regards john
Hi Lady Grey
Here are few pictures I took at Dugeness.
Robert
Hi LadyGrey
Welcome to the Community from me too. :-)
It's always nice to see a little egret in the UK. I've never seen one close enough to take a good photo, but they do seem to be spreading around the Country.
When I went to Florida, snowy egrets were common on the beach. If you compare Robert's shots of the little egret, with this one of the snowy egret, you can clearly see the differences between the two species.
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
The Little Egret has certainly spread widely in recent years,we get them up here in N.Yorks well inland.Its nice to see a bit of a success story and a lovely bird to see anywhere.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Hi Chris/Robert
Beautiful photos... and a joy to see everyone's experiences with Egrets.
Chris that is one stunning Snowy Egret which i have never seen before {huge smile}
Thank you for sharing
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Seaman LadyGrey While out walking in the Rutland area yesterday we saw a white, Heron-type bird (but about half the size of a Grey Heron) standing by a small stream. I did not have a camera on me, so sorry - no photo. Looking in my bird guide it looks like a Little Egret, but is it possible that one of these could be inland and as far north as Rutland? The Little Egret has certainly spread widely in recent years,we get them up here in N.Yorks well inland.Its nice to see a bit of a success story and a lovely bird to see anywhere.
Thanks very much for your reply, Seaman, and to everyone else on the forum who has been so welcoming and informative to us newcomers! I am wondering where in N. Yorks you see Little Egrets? Although we saw this one in Rutland, we live in E.Yorks and often venture north of Pickering!
LadyGrey Seaman LadyGrey While out walking in the Rutland area yesterday we saw a white, Heron-type bird (but about half the size of a Grey Heron) standing by a small stream. I did not have a camera on me, so sorry - no photo. Looking in my bird guide it looks like a Little Egret, but is it possible that one of these could be inland and as far north as Rutland? The Little Egret has certainly spread widely in recent years,we get them up here in N.Yorks well inland.Its nice to see a bit of a success story and a lovely bird to see anywhere. Thanks very much for your reply, Seaman, and to everyone else on the forum who has been so welcoming and informative to us newcomers! I am wondering where in N. Yorks you see Little Egrets? Although we saw this one in Rutland, we live in E.Yorks and often venture north of Pickering!
We often see them on the reserve at Nosterfield (N of Ripon),occasionally on my local patch here in Ripon and the reserve between Ripon canal and the racecourse.There are more often spring/summer sightings and they are more casual visitors than resident birds on the reserves around here.If you are in E.Yorks I think the show up a bit South of you on the YWT reserve at South Cave,happy hunting,Pete.
Today we saw an egret on the road between Caldecote and Northill, Bedfordshire. There was a ditch at the side of the road and he was obviously looking for food. I had no camera but have seen egrets on the R. Thames so am pretty sure that is what it was.
In addition to the egret seen last weekend near Caldecote, Bedfordshire, today we saw one in the gravel workings next to Castle Mill Lock, Bedford.
Hi Margot and welcome to the RSPB Forum. Enjoy yourself here
Great news about the Little Egrets at Castle Mill lock area
I see that Castlemill is going through a lot of earthworks upgrades at the moment, and a lot of the water in the nearby waterways has been drained at the moment. The waterways close to the Sluice are waterless.
It will be interesting if the water levels rise this spring to accommodate the Common Terns and Grebes that nest there in the waterway next to the sluice works
A lot of changes for an area that has a lot of bird life in abundance