(Andy Robinson)
A new year, a new bird... well, not seen since 2010 on RSPB Loch Gruinart anyway. This sneaky bird has been seen mainly in Loch Indaal, but also on Loch Gruinart and in front of the hides. Nearby Oronsay Island has had a long-term little egret for some time now, is it the same bird I wonder... It has been sneaking about Islay, but been seen regularly by walkers and bird watchers. So far, however, it has eluded the RSPB staff at Loch Gruinart!
It first bred in the UK in 1996, and can be found breeding regularly in the south of England.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/l/littleegret/ for more info on this pretty bird.