Thirteen great egrets have been observed in a parched Cambridgeshire field, an unexpected sight given their usual preference for freshwater marsh environments. These birds, which are the size of grey herons but pure white, were reportedly hunting voles in the dry landscape.
The presence of great egrets marks a significant recovery for the species in the UK. They were previously brought to the brink of extinction by the Victorian feather trade, but have since expanded across Europe and began breeding in the UK in 2010. By 2019, there were 24 nesting pairs, with winter totals potentially reaching four figures.
The sighting took place in Ouse Fen, an area undergoing a gradual conversion from low-quality agricultural land into a wetland. This project, a partnership between a gravel-extraction business and the RSPB, aims to create a 3,000-hectare wetland that is already home to various wildlife, including water voles and bitterns.