Little Egret on the coldest weekend of the year

If you had to give an example of one species of bird to prove that Global warming is happening, what would it be? I reckon most people would say Little Egret, an archetypal Mediterranean species which 30 years ago was very rare in the UK, 20 years ago was quite unusual yet by 2010 there were probably well over 1000 pairs breeding in the UK. It is probably the most dramatic and well known example of the effects of Global warming on UK wildlife. So what was a Little Egret doing flying over Berrington's Lane today, with the ground covered in snow and following a night when temperatures dipped to -16'C in Berrington's Lane?

It was a most wonderful sight, the sky was deep blue and the reflection of the snow on the bird made it almost glow as it flew overhead in the direction of Carr Mill Dam, with its yellow feet dangling behind it!

Below are a few photos from the weekend. The photos from Eccleston Mere were taken yesterday.

Blue bridge at Windle Hall (left). An umbellifer sp. is restored to flower by the snow (right)!

Berrington's Lane (left) and Pink-footed Geese over Eccleston Mere (right)

Eccleston Mere. The colours might just be black and white, but look at the tree on the right especially, what a wonderful pattern.

More from Eccleston Mere.

And more from Eccleston Mere.

Coots