I remember the first time I saw a little egret. 

It was the early 1990s and I had just reached the age where I could start volunteering at a nature reserve in Carmarthenshire. These mysterious white heron-like birds stood out against the dark backdrop of saltmarsh on the Burry Inlet, making them easy to spot without binoculars, and their numbers steadily increased each year.

Even back then, we were discussing locally how the arrival of little egrets was a sign that our climate was changing. Formerly a Mediterranean bird, little egrets started to become a regular occurrence across the south coasts of Wales and England and became a UK breeding bird by 1996.

Little egrets will often be found with the much taller grey heron, and the two species frequently nest in the same areas. Their population continues to grow and expand further north, in contrast to their fortunes in the nineteenth century when they were hunted for their long neck feathers. These wetland birds feed on fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and, occasionally, small mammals. 

Great white egrets

As the little egret became established in the UK, other species of egret also started to appear more frequently.

The great white egret stands almost as tall as the grey heron, with a noticeably long neck. Unlike the little egret’s yellow feet, the great white egret has black lower legs and feet.

These birds started arriving in larger numbers from the early 2000s and started breeding in 2012, not too far away on the Somerset Levels. According to data from the British Trust for Ornithology, great white egrets are now recorded regularly across the UK throughout the year.

Their diet includes invertebrates, amphibians, and fish which they catch with their bills using a spearing action. 

Cattle egrets

If two types of white egret don’t feel like enough, then the arrival of the cattle egret will be welcome news. I am yet to see one of these birds so they’re on my list.

Cattle egrets are a more recent arrival but were quick to start breeding, in 2008, also in Somerset. Their range is still confined to more southerly parts of Britain but is expanding. Globally, the cattle egret has seen a significant expansion of its range. It is still a rare breeding bird in the UK but is a frequent winter visitor. 

In terms of size, the cattle egret is smaller than the little egret and appears more compact. Young birds and adults in winter are all white but in the breeding season the adults have bright orange-yellow feathers on the crown, lower back and chest, which helps with identification.

As you may have guessed, the cattle egret gets its name from the company it keeps. The birds will frequently be seen around grazing livestock, looking for opportunities to find insect prey disturbed by their hooves. Colleagues who are carrying out surveys at our Ebdon Farm site have seen cattle egrets perched on the cows that are grazing the site. Another sign that I need to finally see cattle egrets on my next visit!

Winter waders

Wildfowl and wading birds are probably my favourite nature highlights and winter brings more of them to our coastline and wetland areas. Egrets have a calm majesty compared to the busy flocks of ducks and waders, which makes for easier birdwatching. Look out for their slow undulating wingbeats as they move between feeding spots. Egrets and herons also spend long periods of time standing stock-still as they wait for a passing fish or frog.

Find out more about egrets and herons