Gallery - Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

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.

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.

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.

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.

Little and Great White Egrets

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

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.

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.

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.

© Simon Thurgood 2025
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