Little Egret

First recorded in 1992, this species of heron has become increasingly common & can now be seen regularly, especially in winter. Maximum count is an incredible 32 in February 2006.

29/09/92 - Single bird. 1st record for reservoir (BS)

15/01/93 - Single bird. Roosted overnight. Seen again following day, to roost. Not seen next day.

22/12/95 - Single bird (DL). Seen again 29 & 30/12/95 (DWH)

??/01/96 - Single bird still present from 22/12/95

12/01/96 - 2 birds (DWH). Joined by a 3rd on 08/02. All 3 remained until 12/02. Single bird remained until at least 03/03

09/01/97 - 2 birds on frozen reservoir (BS). Remained until 27/02 with 1 staying until 08/03

31/07/97 - Single juvenile. Roosted overnight.

02/08/98 - 6 birds (LM)

25/11/98 - Single bird. Remained until 28/11

12/12/98 - 2 birds roosted with a single remaining until 25/12

02/01/99 - 2 birds. Present since 12/12/98, remained until 11/01 with 1 on 16/01 & 3 on 19/01 until 21/01.

29/01/99 - Single bird. Present until at least 26/02.

17/09/99 - 6 birds (LM)

14/10/99 - Single bird. Seen frequently until the end of the year, with 2 birds present 26/12.

06/01/00 - Single bird. 2 seen 23/01. Single during March, single 03/09 and during November and December.

2001 - None until end of July then one regular with 3 on 25/09, 09/10 and 04/11.

2002 - Up to 3 throughout the year with 4 on 20/02 and 21/02.

2003 - Up to 6 in January reducing to singles through the summer but increasing to 7 in November. 8 or more regular in December with 14 on 25/12 and 16 on 27/12.

2004 - Jan max 13, Feb max 17, Mar max 17, Apr max 10 reducing to none in June July. Max 5 in Aug, then 1 to 3 until mid December. 13-16 in second half of December.

2005 - Mainly 1 to 3 through the year, but 12 flew over on 07/02, 7 settled on 09/02 and 15 at nearby Eleighwater on 11/02.

2006 - 20 to 25 throughout January with 28 on 30/01. Record count of 32 on 09/02.

2007 - Mainly ones and twos with max of 6 on 22/02, 16/10 and 19/12.