PICTURES: Rare sighting of great white egrets around Yarrows loch in Caithness
Birdwatchers in Caithness were delighted by rare sightings of great white egrets around Yarrows and Wester over the last couple of days.
Wendy Sutherland, a keen local wildlife photographer, shared several photographs she took yesterday afternoon (October 2) at Loch of Yarrows near Thrumster.
Commenting this afternoon, Wendy added: “They are still there this morning. A guy on a paddleboard went out on the loch and spooked them but they did come back.”
The RSPB states: “The great white egret is a large, white heron [which] can look similar to little egrets, but much larger – the same size as the familiar grey heron.
“Other identification features to look out for include black feet (not yellow), yellow beak (in juvenile and non-breeding plumage) and a different fishing technique, more like that of the grey heron.”
In August, the RSPB stated that great white egrets had successfully fledged at a nature reserve in Aberdeenshire.
The bird charity said: “On 22 August three Great White Egret chicks left their nest near the Loch of Strathbeg nature reserve near Crimond in the northeast of Scotland. These large birds are closely related to grey herons, with similar long legs and necks.”
It is thought to be the first time the birds have ever attempted breeding in Scotland and the subsequent successful fledging is seen as “a significant milestone” for the species.
“The great white egret parents have been regular visitors to the nature reserve for a number of years, and this year they found a perfect nest site at the top of a tree neighbouring RSPB Loch of Strathbeg.”
Great white egrets used to be occasional visitors to the UK from continental Europe, but over recent decades they have bred in the UK. They have now expanded their range, moving further north into Scotland.
