Dr. Alison Morgan, Avalon Marshes New Colonists Coordinator, has provided the following update on ringed birds:

“Thanks again to everyone who has sent in sightings of the Somerset colour ringed egrets this year. We thought you might like an update!

Dispersal: The 13 Somerset birds ringed between 2016 and 2021 have now been reported from 31 sites in 14 counties of England and Wales, stretching East-West across the country from Wales to Suffolk, and North-South from the Tees Valley to Dungeness.

Distance: The most travelled bird is AAU, who spent the winter touring the north of England and then reappeared on Easter Monday at Ham Wall here on the Avalon Marshes – only to be photographed by Ian Forrest at the beginning of May 400km to the north, at RSPB Saltholme in the Tees Valley (right). AAU has travelled more than 1840 km (as the egret flies) since fledging ten months ago. For a blog post which tells AAU’s story visit https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/hamwall/b/hamwall-blog/posts/guest-blog-update-on-the-great-white-egrets-of-the-avalon-marshes

Equally remarkable was that AAT was seen alongside AAU at Saltholme. AAT fledged from the same nest, but was last reported from RSPB Conwy in Wales.

Find out more - for a more detailed analysis of the expansion of the Great White Egret across the country see our paper in the May issue of British Birds - https://britishbirds.co.uk/content/great-white-egrets-england

Looking ahead

The 2022 breeding season is now well under way. The colonies are continuing to grow in size and number, with some 43 nests identified here on the Avalon Marshes so far, and 14 new chicks colour ringed – so please do keep sending in your sightings. We are particularly keen to see whether the dispersed birds will return here to breed, or whether they will found new colonies elsewhere (and if so where!) – so every sighting whether in Somerset or elsewhere is helpful.”