LITTLE EGRET : Egretta garzetta
These can be found along the shore from about Havoc to Cardross and beyond. They are essentially small herons.
The RSPB tells us that the Little Egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet. It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Its arrival followed naturally from a range expansion into western and northern France in previous decades. It is now at home on numerous south coast sites, both as a breeding species and as a winter visitor.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust adds : It’s only in the past decade or so that close relatives of the heron – egrets – have been appearing more regularly in Scotland. Herons and egrets belong to the same family: Ardeidae. At the beginning of the decade, a report of a little egret on the reserve would have been an event of great excitement: the news would have been sent out to the local bird clubs and visitors would have made an effort to pop by to catch a glimpse of the rarity. Little egrets have now become an almost daily sighting at Montrose Basin, though. Once an occasional summer visitor, these bright white birds have gradually become year-long residents, with 3 little egrets being regularly sighted on the reserve for the whole of 2019. This is likely an effect of climate change – a similar pattern is seen across many species, with ranges spreading into once colder habitats as the temperature gradually increases.
These comments are of interest to those who are keen on birds as they signify changes beyond just that of some birds arriving in our area. While on the ocassion of the sighting shown in the photo below only one was seen, locals tell that there is currently a pair frequently this stretch of shoreline. And that could lead to more through breeding or even encouragement to others.
A little heron seen on the Firth of Clyde shore towards Cardross. November 2025.
RSPB : https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/little-egret
SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST : https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2019/12/herons-and-egrets/
