Great egrets recover in English wetland after near extinction
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In Cambridgeshire, England, a population of 13 great egrets, large white wading birds, thrived in a restored wetland at Ouse Fen.
The birds’ presence marks a recovery for a species once nearing extinction in Britain. The conversion of former farmland into a rich wetland habitat allowed the egrets to flourish, though their appearance amid recent drought conditions felt unusual. The great egrets primarily hunt fish in freshwater marshes, but they were observed catching voles in the dry landscape.
Their size resembles that of grey herons, but they stand out with their pure white plumage, lemon-colored eyes, and orange beaks. The egrets’ arrival may be linked to the climate crisis, though the article does not state how. Despite the challenging conditions, the birds demonstrated their hunting prowess, moving through the landscape with distinctive, snake-like necks and powerful flight.
