Great White Egret at Whisby

David Cohen · **Posted:** Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:46 pm

Found a GWE in the north east corner of Grebe Lake this morning, opposite the hide by the Tern rafts. It was in the company of five Little Egrets and could be quite difficult to see, as, despite its obvious size, it kept in the low shrubs for most of the time. The best views were from the path to the east of the lake, particularly where a gate gave uninterrupted views of its favoured area.

The bill was bright yellow, with dull yellowish legs and, rather surprisingly, the bird revealed quite well developed "breeding plumes".

Cheers,

David Cohen

Andrew Chick · **Posted:** Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:41 pm

Reported at 15:40 by Phil Porter

Great White Egret, having left the site, now 3.30pm back at Grebe Lake and apparently settled, viewable from the 2nd (easternmost, ie nearest the A46)hide on the south shore of Grebe Lake. With 2 little egrets and a grey heron on opposite bank in corner of reedbed.

Grahame Hopwood · **Posted:** Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:40 pm

As it was my day off, I was in deepest darkest Derbyshire photographing Dark-red Helleborines when I got the phone call about this bird.

Luckily the GWE was still present when I got got back to Lincs at 5.30pm and showed well in the north east corner of Grebe Lake until 6.35pm when it flew off north. However it had apparently done this before during the day so may yet still return. Shame it wasn't present yesterday when I was undertaking my WeBS count!

This represents a well overdue first record for Whisby NP/ N Hykeham Pits Recording Area

David, a cracking find! You might find it useful to add the phone number for the wardens at Whisby (myself and Phil) on 01522 500676 to your mobile rather than phoning Gib Point next time!!

Cheers

Grahame

Kev Wilson · **Posted:** Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:04 pm

David

Nice to hear about your find today - I was tempted to nip over as I was only in Wragby when you called but the family were not enthused !!

Grahame - should that be 500676 ?

Cheers

Kev

Grahame Hopwood · **Posted:** Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:14 pm

Hi Kev

Yes and thanks for pointing out the incorrect phone number!

To repeat, the correct number for the Wardens office at Whisby is 01522 500676

Cheers

Grahame

Grahame Hopwood · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:18 am

Message from Paul Marshall

Great White Egret still present at 8.05 this morning (23rd July) in the north east corner of Grebe Lake.

Cheers

Grahame

Chris Grimshaw · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:12 am

Didn't see him but bird showing well outside the second hide also a common sandpiper and 3 little egrets

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:55 pm

Just as I entered the 'second' hide at Grebe Lake, Whisby NR a few minutes after 11.00 o' clock this morning (Mon), I was to hear those immortal words, "You should have been here 5 minutes ago," as uttered by Grahame Hopwood and Chris Grimshaw : "It flew off at 11.00".

Anyway, an hour or so of catch-up bird chat, etc. later, and what should return at 12.15....the Great White Egret, right opposite the hide. It stayed around for 25 minutes before taking off and flying away over trees. It may well return later in the day as the bird has flown off several times and then returned in due course. At one stage, it had been in the same binocular view as 2 Little Egrets, giving good size comparison.

It was nice to watch such a large bird for a change.....certainly larger than Muscicapa striata, and a slightly different colour as well. :wink:

Freddy

Andrew Vaughan · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:40 pm

No sign of it between 2.40 and 3.15.

Andrew

Matt Latham · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:55 pm

Apologies for the late news but had a great white egret flying west over fiskerton fen last Sunday 15th July 2012.

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Great White Egret at Whisby

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