Great Egret

With breeding taking place in south-west England in 2012, sightings in Northumberland have increased and it is proving difficult to ascertain how many individuals occur each year.

The graph displays the annual estimated number of individuals concerned.

1). 1977 Cresswell Pond, 29th April. 

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 71: 490).

2). 1989 Holywell Dene and Holywell Pond, 8th May; same, Druridge Pools, 9th May; possible same as North-east Scotland individual. 

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 447).

3). 1992 Holywell Pond, 4th July. 

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 86: 457).

4). 1995 River Tweed, near Horncliffe, 26th May; presumed same as Borders. 

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 89: 488).

5). 1998 Farne Islands, 7th June; same, Chevington, Hauxley and Cresswell and Holywell Ponds area, 9th to 11th June. 

(Birding World 11 (6): 204, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 92: 560).

6). 1999 Castle Island, Bothal Bond and Longhirst Flash, 11th to 12th July, photo. 

(Birding World 12 (7): 263, photo; Birding World 12 (8): 302, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 93: 519).

7). 2000 Longhirst Flash, 22nd to 23rd May, photo; possibly same as Yorkshire, 19th May. 

(Birding World 13 (5): 175, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 94: 459; Birds in Northumbria 2000: photo).

8). 2003 Linton Pond, 29th May; same, Longhirst Flash, 29th to 30th May, 8th and 10th to 12th June, photo; same, Bothal Pond, 8th June. 

(Birding World 16 (5): 182, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 97: 570; Birds in Northumbria 2003: photo).

9). 2008 Cresswell Pond, 25th April. 

(I. Fisher & S. T. Holliday, Birds in Northumbria 2008: 95).

10). 2008 Howick, 9th July; presumed same, Beal, 14th July. 

(I. Fisher & S. T. Holliday, Birds in Northumbria 2008: 95).

11). 2009 Arcot Pond, 25th April.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2009: 65).

12). 2010 Druridge Bay area, adult, 2nd to 5th April.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2010: 72).

13). 2010 Arcot Pond, 25th April.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2010: 72).

14). 2010 East Chevington, 7th July.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2010: 72).

15). 2010 Monks' House, 5th November; same, River Aln, Alnwick Castle, 12th to 14th November; same, Branton GP, 17th to 25th November.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2010: 72).

16). 2011 West Hartford, two, 24th March.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2011: 66).

18). 2011 East Chevington, 29th to 30th April.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2011: 66).

19). 2011 Castle Island, two, 28th to 29th May.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2011: 66).

21). 2011 East Chevington, 14th August.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2011: 66).

22). 2012 Prestwick Carr, adult, 27th April.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2012: 60).

23). 2012 East Chevington, 5th and 10th May; same, Hauxley NR, adult, 5th to 9th May; same, Druridge Pools, 17th May.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2012: 60).

24). 2012 Howick Hall, 23rd to 25th May.

(M. Richardson, Birds in Northumbria 2012: 60).