RSPB Walsall Local Group
a million voices for nature
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RSPB Walsall Local Group
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On the morning of Friday, 1 November 2002, I was e-mailed at work by a colleague. He asked:
I saw what looked like a grey heron, but almost totally white. It was on the Swag pool this morning. Do albino herons exist or was I hallucinating..?
(Aldridge is in the North of Walsall Metropolitan Borough, map here.)
I replied, telling him that such a thing was possible, but asking if he might have seen a Little Egret* (Egretta garzetta), as these are becoming more common in the UK.
While such a sighting would be notable, I thought little more of it, being busy and mindful of the awful weather.
An hour later, though, at just gone noon, I was telephoned by Connie, the youngest member of our group, who asked me excitedly to confirm the colour of the feet of a Great White Egret! As she was sure that this was what the bird was, I said I would meet her and her mother, Val, there as soon as possible.
Pausing only to tell colleagues that I was off for an early lunch break, and offer a lift to one with a passing interest in birds, I made my way through a frustrating amount traffic to Aldridge. Even before stopping the car, the large, white heron was clearly visible, being only a few yards form the roadside.
I parked, noting that a few other birders were already watching the Egret, then whipped out my digital camera to grab a couple of record shots, in case it took off. The driving rain and low light levels on this foul day meant that these were the best shots I got!
Connie and Val arrived shortly afterwards, and a quick consultation of Collins Bird Guide determined that we were, indeed, watching the first Great White Egret (Egretta alba) in the West Midlands county since 1995!
I began to make telephone calls, both to members of the group (only a couple of whom were able to see the bird, sadly), and to the birding hotlines and websites. After that, I began to call the local media.
Although the bird had departed by the next morning (we suspect it roosted, then left at first light), reports of its presence appeared for the next few days. Sadly, there was the inevitable confusion between birders and twitchers. Those press items we know of included:
My thanks to Val and Connie for the tip off, and congratulations to Connie, for making such a good find!
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