Messingham Sand Quarry - Great White Egret Invasion !!!

Been reading up on GW Egrets both on BTO & RSPB.  Got to admit I was surprised at how many can be seen in the country with more being seen in the south than up here. Common was the wrong word to use but no blood was spilt so no matter.  As I rarely go far these days the only chance I'll get of seeing one is locally.  BTO have an ID video for those who require it to see the differences between GWE & Little Egret which I'll watch just in case I see one. The one I saw out our county was flying and I had company. 

It's good to have a debate on here stops boredom setting in!

John  

Great White Egrets are not unusual in Lincolnshire anymore. There are many more around than get reported. Perhaps common wasn't the correct word to use. The BTO does no longer require a description for a bird to be accepted. 

I try to make the latest news section representative of what is seen around Lincs on that day so don't read that is scarce or rare because I have included it.

You talk about house sparrows being common - to you perhaps - I don't remember the last time a single one in my garden yet down the street I hear them when I walk past. Now as for goldfinch I cannot remember the last day I didn't see at least one. Possible five years ago -who knows

It is all relative to your environment or where you travel to.. A few years ago Little Egrets and Buzzard were pretty rare but i have seen them fly over my house regularly.

Enjoy whatever
 

Until a year ago last September I had never seen any then went out Lincs and saw one!  Been a member of BTO  and GBW twenty plus years and read all their mags and never read owt saying GW Egrets are classed as common! 

To me House Sparrows are common I get upwards of three dozen every day, been told none are seen in Lincoln. 

Must contact BTO and ask how a GWE is classed as common when very few are reported on our Latest News section.  

It crossed my mind why they were not included in the Latest News section the day reported. Noticed a single Snipe was worthy of a mention somewhere or other, maybe it was their first in 20 years etc. 

Regards
John

We seem to have a resident pair at MSQ , I think these came in for a quick look at the reserve to see if it met their needs!

Not that long ago these were very scarce.  I remember travelling to see my first in deepest Norfolk about 20 years ago

Just a few weeks ago I counted 16 by Tim's Cottage on the North Arm, Rutland Water. I think Tim himself had counted around 45 through his kitchen window just a few days prior to my visit. Andy Sims and myself counted well into double figures just over a week ago in the same area

Nowadays the BTO class the GWE as common but they are always good to see

It is a ? if this astonishing number will be recorded anywhere as John H is sure they are a county record for the species.