Twenty years or so ago it would have been quite an event to see Little Egrets almost anywhere in the UK., but now, especially on eastern and southern shores they are quite common, also spreading themselves inland wherevr there is water….and fish !
Little Egret flying over main lake at Conningbrook
They are now quite a common sight at Conningbrook Lakes and if visiting the Eco Lake late afternoon or early evening at dusk, up to 15 have been spotted coming in to roost for the night.
During the daytimes one will often appear standing in the Stream down the Lane or resting in the fields aound my house.
In fact only last week a Great White Egret was seen at Conningbrook.
Needless to say I went around there twice and didn’t see it !
Little Egret in field down the Lane at Kennington, Kent
Larger more predator type birds are becoming far more visible here now and hardly a day goes by when I won’t see either a Heron, Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, even an occasional Red Kite.
Seeing any of these birds only goes to show the diversity we have in this country and you don’t need to travel thousands of miles to see excotic colour and behaviour.
A Great White Egret (photographed at Dungeness in September)
Point of action is to ensure our habitats protect the smaller birds by supplying their food and nesting areas.