© Little Egret by Rob Miller Little Egret Egretta garzetta The Little Egret is a small, white heron which feeds on small fish and crustaceans. © Little Egret by Rob Miller Once a very rare visitor from the Mediterranean, Little Egrets are now a common sight around the coasts of southern England and Wales as they expand their range, possibly due to climate change. It first bred in the UK on Brownsea Island, Dorset, in 1996, and has been moving northwards ever since; it was recorded as breeding in Berkshire for the first time in 2007. How to Identify The Little Egret is a white heron with black legs and yellow feet. It has a black bill and long plumes on its head and neck during the breeding season. Where to Find Found around the coasts and estuaries of England and Wales, more rarely in Scotland and inland. How People Can Help With the effects of climate change becoming more apparent – from unseasonal flooding to warmer winters – it is quite likely that more wildlife will be able to expand its range. This might be good for those species that are threatened, but it may cause competition between species and unbalance natural habitats. The Wildlife Trusts are working with other organisations and individuals to create a ‘Living Landscape’: a network of habitats stretching across town and country, allowing wildlife to adapt to climate change and move about freely, and people to enjoy the benefits of nature. Support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust. Did you know? The long neck plumes of Little Egrets were once more valuable than gold, being smuggled into Europe in the 19th century. As a result, heron populations plummeted until laws were implemented to protect them. Key FactsLength: 90-100cmWingspan: 1.8mWeight: 1.5kg Donate Donate to help support Little Egrets and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds