[Simon Thurgood Images] [Simon Thurgood Images]


Gallery - Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

[RSPB green conservation status][More information about Grey Heron][greyheron2]Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

This distinctive,large bird often stands beside water ready to grasp a passing fish, but may stand hunched up in a field away from water. It also feeds on amphibians or small mammals. Nests are in colonies(Heronies) at tops of tall trees.


[purpleheron1]Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Fewer than 20 individuals arrive in Britian each year. Smaller and darker than a grey Heron, it feeds in marshes, reedbeds, riverbanks, estuaries and sometimes seashore.


[nightheron5]Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

A small number, usually less than 20, arrive in Britian or Ireland most years.Individuals that arrive in Britian in spring are generally seen in central and southern England. Autumn migrants are most often observed along the east coast.


[RSPB green conservation status][More information about Little Egrets][littleegret4]Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

A small white heron which catches fish and insects from the edges of lakes,slow flowing rivers and esturies.Nests in colonies.


[Video clip about Little and Great White Egrets]Little and Great White Egrets

BTO video about the differences between the little and Great white Egrets


[More information about Great White Egret][greatwe7]Great White Egret (Egretta alba)

Resembles little Egret but is much larger about the same size as the Grey Heron. Homeland in Europe is the Balkans but is slowly spreading northwards.


[More information about Cattle Egret][Video clip about Cattle Egret][cagt3]Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Smaller and compacter than little Egret. Appears all white both in flight and at rest except when breeding when it has dark buff plumes on crown.Casual visiter to the uk with it expanding its range.


[RSPB red conservation status][More information about Bittern][bittern10]Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

The Bittern is a Red list Species-High conservation concern.

The Bittern is a solitary and secretive bird,it is a well camouflaged bird of lowland marshes and dense reed beds.



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