We’ve had some big egrets, but this time?…

Not another cringe-worthy cattle egret pun or even a snow made version – but a genuine likely new one for the year list. At 17:00 tonight whilst chatting with HVWG and Erich we caught sight of an egret flying north east over the car park – however rather than the usual little or even cattle all three of us immediately noted long trailing legs, large size and dagger like bill (My own split second reaction was jiz of spoonbill/stork).

Luckily the camera was to hand even though the light was on the way – and getting them home at least one clearly shows pale bill and black legs – indicating with near certainty that this was a great-white egret:

These two are a bit more silhouetted but still give a sense of profile:


Hopefully we’ll track it down and get a 100% on it – and this will continue our exciting run of herons in the last 9 months…

Elsewhere 2 short eared owls were on the go at Struncheonhill:

with 6 curlew on Hempholme Meadow and the white buzzard on the approach road. Brambling has been seen the last two days on the centre feeders and in the woods willow tit was there yesterday. Water rail was seen this time on the footings of the new sand martin colony on South Marsh West, and Tony S logging one on North Marsh today, with woodcock in the car park this afternoon. Two smew on D res which after a brief thaw is now gradually re-freezing again – currently circa 70% frozen.

Still plenty of tracks around – Tom Lowe sent us this pic from O res. In the last post I showed a slide which looked like otter with apparent fox tracks in it. However further on were these toboggans on the path with clear otter prints. Unfortunately some anti-social and unobservant tractor driver had driven over them…