Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Species
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 24th 2021.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 24th 2021.
(1/1000th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 19th 2016.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 19th 2016.
(1/1600th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 55 - 65cm; WS: 71 - 86cm

The Little Egret is a small white heron with white plumes on its crest, back and chest, black legs and bill, and yellow feet. It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Its colonization followed naturally from a range expansion into western and northern France in previous decades.

It is found mainly along the south coasts of England and Wales. It is increasingly appearing at inland sites.

It nests colonially in dense trees and bushes at shallow marshy lakes, rivers and coastal lagoons.

It takes fish, frogs, insects, snails, etc from shallow lakes, ponds and flooded fields, often in small groups.

It is green status on the UK list.

Sightings

16-Mar-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos (1)

26-Dec-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
07-Nov-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos (1)
22-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6)
13-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (9)
18-Aug-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
01-Aug-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
22-Jun-2023 : Steart Marshes, Somerset (6)
24-May-2023 : Aston, Oxon (1)
28-Apr-2023 : Aston, Oxon (1)
27-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
20-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
03-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
19-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
11-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
19-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
01-Jan-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)

06-Dec-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
20-Nov-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
13-Nov-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
18-Oct-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
23-Sep-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
02-Sep-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
31-Aug-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
26-Aug-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
19-Aug-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
02-Aug-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
29-Jul-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
22-Jul-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon
25-Jun-2022 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (1)
24-Jun-2022 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (4)
20-Jun-2022 : Ravenglass, Cumbria (4)
02-Jun-2022 : Chimney Meadows, Oxon (2)
30-May-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
22-May-2022 : Chimney Meadows, Oxon (1)
29-Apr-2022 : Aston, Oxon (1)
23-Apr-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
15-Apr-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
26-Mar-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
24-Feb-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (3)
10-Feb-2022 : Dorchester, Oxon (2)
04-Feb-2022 : Marston Meadows, Oxon (1)
02-Feb-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
30-Jan-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)

14-Nov-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
07-Nov-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
01-Nov-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6)
21-Oct-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6)
18-Oct-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)