Great Egrets no longer classed as rare species for 2021 after bird spotted in 2,300 new locations last year
The Great White Egret will no longer be classed as a rare bird for 2021 after it was commonly spotted by twitchers across the UK last year.
The majestic bird was once seen as a rare and exotic visitor, and in the 1970s it was often seen just 150 times a year in the whole of Europe.
In 2020, birders recorded the creature in 2,300 new locations, and it was seen in almost every part of England and Wales.
The only places it tends to avoid are the northernmost counties of Durham, Northumberland, Yorkshire and Cumbria where, like Scotland, they can be seen but less frequently.
The birds have always been very populous in the "Sun Belt" of the United States, and in various countries in Asia.
BirdGuides, the website and magazine which monitors reports of rare breeds, said it recorded 8,300 reports of great white egrets in 2020.
BirdGuides said: "Great Egrets have become a regular feature of many British and Irish wetlands.
"The rate of reporting this year has shown a notable increase over the previous two years: it compares to 6,676 reports in 2019, with 1,706 first reports, and 6,387 reports in 2018, with 1,604 first reports.
"A look back over the 10 years prior to 2020 shows a similar story, with gradual increases year on year from 1,085 reports back in 2010.
"In much the same vein, reports of Great Egrets exploded in the latter half of 2020, with 2,424 reports between January and the end of June compared to no fewer than 5,860 reports since the beginning of July.
"This reflected a notable 'feel' that the species has become much more numerous in many areas this winter.
"It is the sheer volume of reports, as well as a high volume of repeat reports from sites where the species has become a semi-permanent resident, that have led us to this decision, with the expectation that the species will continue to become even more commonplace over the coming months and years."
Another visitor becoming more popular is the western cattle egret which has been reported 4,000 times in 2020 including 870 new locations compared to just 1,339 reports throughout 2016.
Flocks of the smaller member of the egret family were seen in particular around southern and central England and, for the first time, in Norfolk and Suffolk and a lone bird was seen in north west Scotland.
For 2021 it will be classed as a 'local rarity' for parts of England and Wales and a national rarity for the whole of Scotland and Ireland.
