Little Egret arrives in Audlem

Claire sent in this Chatbox comment: "This morning I have spotted what I believe to be a pure white heron in the brook that runs across Green Lane. Has anyone else seen it? Or could it be some other bird? It is very striking."

It is likely to be a Little Egret, we said earlier – now confirmed as one (see second photo). They first arrived in Britain about 25 – 30 years ago and have spread northwards. One was spotted on a large pond about four miles from Audlem a week ago so an arrival in Audlem was very likely.

They are shaped very much like a heron but are smaller.

While they turned up occasionally in Britain over the years, there was a sudden influx in 1989 and they first bred in Britain in 1996. Since then they have expanded rapidly but it is only this year that there have been reports in this area and Claire's is the first we have have heard in Audlem itself.

Update: We have now received a photo taken by Claire this morning – which is the second photo.

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