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This is Exeter -- *The story of the little egret highlights the positive and negative effects humans can exert on other species, as Andrew Gibbs explains* WALKING from the Double Locks in the direction of Countess Wear, I paused at the first of the two viewing platforms which allow you to look out across the council wetland reserve. All was quiet and still, so after a few minutes I decided to continue along the footpath, stopping at the second platform. Three stunning drake teal, each accompanied by a camouflage coloured female, were dabbling in the shallow waters. As one of the drakes upended, a magnificent little egret appeared in front of the reeds, its 'white as white can be' plumage immediately catching the eye. Slowing its pace, it began to 'foot shuffle' its way along the pond margins, its long, slender black dagger bill angled at 45 degrees to the water's surface, eyes firmly fixed forwards. With long, white neck held in a sigmoid shaped, 'ready to strike' posture, the egret agitated the muds with its left foot, causing concentric rings of ripples to spread across the water. This action was repeated several times, firstly with use of the right foot, then with use of the left. This amazing behaviour is fascinating to observe. By shuffling through the mud, the egret disturbs fish or aquatic invertebrates, forcing them to swim into view. As soon as a prey item is spotted, the egret strikes! At rapid speed, it throws its neck forwards, thrusting its bill towards its prey. Once plucked from the water, with a swift upwards flick of the bill, its prey is quickly swallowed. This stealthy 'shuffle, spot and strike' strategy was working very well for the 'Double Locks' egret which seemed to be finding plenty to eat. Lifting its right foot above the surface of the water, bright yellow toes brought into clear view for the first time, the egret took a step forwards. Steady second, third and fourth steps were followed by a quick fifth and then another striking stab of the bill into the water was made. A little egret relies on its keen sense of sight to spot fish in the water, judging accurately the position of its prey by correcting for the effects of refraction. Turbid waters can be problematic, making it much more difficult for egrets to feed. With all the rainfall and churning effects of high waters that we have experienced in recent weeks, conditions have been challenging for our local birds. The story of the little egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta) in Europe, Britain and locally in Devon is an interesting one. It is a saga which involves both ups and downs with significant twists and turns! It highlights the effects, both positive and negative, that we as humans can exert on other species. Here is a flavour of that story: 1. Little egrets are thought to have thrived in Britain until the mid-16th century. Extinction in Britain probably resulted from over-hunting. 2. Population declines occurred across Europe, in part due to the extensive use of egret plumes in the making of fashionable hats. In an endeavour to counter this trend, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was founded in 1889. In the second edition of his book 'The Birds of Devon,' first edition published in 1892, W.S.M. D'Urban (the first curator of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum), described the little egret as an 'Accidental visitor of very rare occurrence.' The book mentions a specimen, shot near Topsham in 1878, which was stuffed and donated to the museum. 3. By the 1950s, little egrets were restricted to wetland habitats in Southern Europe. Conservation measures helped to protect these birds. 4. Devon records were rare! In 1974, a single little egret was observed on the River Exe from May 30 to June 6. This record was submitted to and accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (a panel established in 1959 to adjudicate rare bird records). 5. A range expansion of the species northwards across Europe began to occur and increasing numbers were seen in Britain. 6. In 1996, little egrets bred in Dorset at Poole Harbour. This was the first breeding record for Britain. 7. In 2002, little egrets bred for the first time on the Kingsbridge Estuary. 8. In 2003, little egrets were suspected of breeding at Powderham on the Exe Estuary. 9. In 2004, little egrets bred at Powderham. Four breeding pairs were present. In Exeter, little egrets can be seen almost anywhere along the Exe and on adjacent wetland areas. Numbers peak in the autumn and have been known to exceed 150, while 33 breeding pairs nested at Powderham in 2010. Sadly, only 10 breeding pairs were present in 2013, probably, at least in part, due to spring time weather conditions. Ups and downs. Ultimately, however, this has been a story of success. Long may it continue!
Reported by This is 12 hours ago.
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This is Exeter -- *The story of the little egret highlights the positive and negative effects humans can exert on other species, as Andrew Gibbs explains* WALKING from the Double Locks in the direction of Countess Wear, I paused at the first of the two viewing platforms which allow you to look out across the council wetland reserve. All was quiet and still, so after a few minutes I decided to continue along the footpath, stopping at the second platform. Three stunning drake teal, each accompanied by a camouflage coloured female, were dabbling in the shallow waters. As one of the drakes upended, a magnificent little egret appeared in front of the reeds, its 'white as white can be' plumage immediately catching the eye. Slowing its pace, it began to 'foot shuffle' its way along the pond margins, its long, slender black dagger bill angled at 45 degrees to the water's surface, eyes firmly fixed forwards. With long, white neck held in a sigmoid shaped, 'ready to strike' posture, the egret agitated the muds with its left foot, causing concentric rings of ripples to spread across the water. This action was repeated several times, firstly with use of the right foot, then with use of the left. This amazing behaviour is fascinating to observe. By shuffling through the mud, the egret disturbs fish or aquatic invertebrates, forcing them to swim into view. As soon as a prey item is spotted, the egret strikes! At rapid speed, it throws its neck forwards, thrusting its bill towards its prey. Once plucked from the water, with a swift upwards flick of the bill, its prey is quickly swallowed. This stealthy 'shuffle, spot and strike' strategy was working very well for the 'Double Locks' egret which seemed to be finding plenty to eat. Lifting its right foot above the surface of the water, bright yellow toes brought into clear view for the first time, the egret took a step forwards. Steady second, third and fourth steps were followed by a quick fifth and then another striking stab of the bill into the water was made. A little egret relies on its keen sense of sight to spot fish in the water, judging accurately the position of its prey by correcting for the effects of refraction. Turbid waters can be problematic, making it much more difficult for egrets to feed. With all the rainfall and churning effects of high waters that we have experienced in recent weeks, conditions have been challenging for our local birds. The story of the little egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta) in Europe, Britain and locally in Devon is an interesting one. It is a saga which involves both ups and downs with significant twists and turns! It highlights the effects, both positive and negative, that we as humans can exert on other species. Here is a flavour of that story: 1. Little egrets are thought to have thrived in Britain until the mid-16th century. Extinction in Britain probably resulted from over-hunting. 2. Population declines occurred across Europe, in part due to the extensive use of egret plumes in the making of fashionable hats. In an endeavour to counter this trend, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was founded in 1889. In the second edition of his book 'The Birds of Devon,' first edition published in 1892, W.S.M. D'Urban (the first curator of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum), described the little egret as an 'Accidental visitor of very rare occurrence.' The book mentions a specimen, shot near Topsham in 1878, which was stuffed and donated to the museum. 3. By the 1950s, little egrets were restricted to wetland habitats in Southern Europe. Conservation measures helped to protect these birds. 4. Devon records were rare! In 1974, a single little egret was observed on the River Exe from May 30 to June 6. This record was submitted to and accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (a panel established in 1959 to adjudicate rare bird records). 5. A range expansion of the species northwards across Europe began to occur and increasing numbers were seen in Britain. 6. In 1996, little egrets bred in Dorset at Poole Harbour. This was the first breeding record for Britain. 7. In 2002, little egrets bred for the first time on the Kingsbridge Estuary. 8. In 2003, little egrets were suspected of breeding at Powderham on the Exe Estuary. 9. In 2004, little egrets bred at Powderham. Four breeding pairs were present. In Exeter, little egrets can be seen almost anywhere along the Exe and on adjacent wetland areas. Numbers peak in the autumn and have been known to exceed 150, while 33 breeding pairs nested at Powderham in 2010. Sadly, only 10 breeding pairs were present in 2013, probably, at least in part, due to spring time weather conditions. Ups and downs. Ultimately, however, this has been a story of success. Long may it continue!
Reported by This is 12 hours ago.
