East Antrim birdwatchers delighted by visit of great white egret

Whitehead birdwatcher Cameron Moore has captured on camera another welcome visitor to east Antrim shores.
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Thanks to a tip-off from a fellow enthusiast, Whitehead man Cameron was able to make the short journey to a favoured viewing point and train his lens on the elegant great white egret at Ballycarry bridge.

Cameron told the Larne Times: “I normally go down to the bridge every day but when I got to Willowvale on the Islandmagee Road, I received a phone call from another birdwatcher that there was a great white egret at Ballycarry bridge. When I arrived at the bridge I spotted it on the Larne side of the bridge and got a few photos of the great white egret and the little egret. You can see the size differences between the two. Apparently there are at least four in Northern Ireland.”

According to the RSPB, great white egrets can look similar to little egrets, but they are much larger. Other distinguishing features are black legs and a yellow beak. The charity points out they are most likely to be seen during spring and winter.

Cameron Moore's image of a great white egret at Ballycarry.Cameron Moore's image of a great white egret at Ballycarry.
Cameron Moore's image of a great white egret at Ballycarry.

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