Little egret

Little egret

In 1996 Brownsea Island became the first place in the UK where little egrets bred. Since then, the colony has gone from strength to strength. Now on a bright autumnal day it is possible to see as many as 50 of these birds on the lagoon.

Can you spot a little egret on Dorset Wildlife Trusts' Brownsea Island Lagoon webcam?

View a slideshow of your amazing little egret pictures in the Flickr group.

Watch all the best little egret action from the shows.

Species information

Often mistaken for a spoonbill from a distance, the little egret is in fact a small white heron. What's most surprising about it is on the end of its long black legs – and that's the yellow feet. It'll often be seen resting in a hunched up position with its long white neck forming an 'S' shape. Its impressive dagger-like bil stabs fish with accuracy. Spring sees them develop lovely long plumed feathers.

Little egrets started to arrive on our shores in large numbers during the late 1980s and first bred on Brownsea Island in the mid 1990s. Since then it has become established in southern England with hundreds of pairs now breeding here. This is possibly due to our warming climate.

Our resident breeding population in the south is increased by those spending winter here from the continent.

How to help

Join your local RSPB group or local Wildlife Trust to find out more about and help with the conservation of the Little egret. You can also help the BTO record bird migration and distribution throughout the UK online with BirdTrack.

Little egrets spread

Bill explains the rapid and remarkable increase in little egrets breeding in this country over the last 12 years.

Little egret feeding technique

Watch how the little egret feeds from shallow waters in this wading bird compilation. Bill explains some of the techniques these birds employ to obtain their food.