August sightings

August was a month of few sightings reported through the website, but it is typically when people take holidays. Thank you to Denis O’Connor and Hazel Goulden for their reports of a Great egret and an adder respectively. The adder sighting was from near Greenhow which is close to where I have found adder skins before. The Great egret sighting was particularly interesting since one was also reported by Richard Bunce, back in June, flying over the weir in Burley-in-Wharfedale. However, for these to be accepted as records by the Yorkshire Naturalists Union, a full description and / or photographic evidence is required. This is due to its rarity in our region.

It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has any Great egret reports. Maybe someone else spotted the same bird(s)? The featured video here is from the BTO site and explains how to tell Great and Little egrets apart.