Great White Egret at Maple Lodge NR

For over a week now we have had a Great White Egret at the reserve and it is usually observed from either Long Hedge Hide or Shell Hide. It spends most of the day fishing with great success to the annoyance of the resident Grey Herons. As our water levels are very low for this time of the year we have many areas of exposed mud which has also attracted a couple of Green Sandpiper and a very late Common Sandpiper. On the 11th November I visited the reserve late afternoon and gained fantastic views of the Egret from the Shell Hide.

Great White Egret.

Tawny Owl at Maple Lodge NR

It’s that time of the year when male Tawny Owls are frantically setting by up their territory ready for coming breeding season. Right on cue early this morning a singing male was heard from the north end of Maple Lodge Nature Reserve it’s quavering hoots very distinctive. Positive signs for a successful breeding season next year.