THE WINGED WONDERS

TWITCHERS SET THEIR SIGHTS ON RARE EGRET CHICKS

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor

TWITCHERS are expected to flock to an Anglesey nature reserve after rare, heron-like birds fledged in Wales for the first time.

The four Great White Egret chicks hatched in May and will stand a metre tall (3ft 3in) when fully grown.

RSPB Cymru said the quartet fledged from two different nests at Cors Ddyga, an RSPB reserve next to the A55 in the Cefni Valley.

It confirms the site as the first breeding base in Wales, 13 years after the species first nested in the UK.

Traditionally distributed across tropical and warmer regions, the species has been spreading north across Europe.

Initially, it benefited from legal protection - until the early 20th century their plumes were targeted for fashionable hats. Wetland restoration and the warming climate have accelerated their recovery.

As they are on the Birds of Conservation Concern Wales Amber List, RSPB Cymru expects the Great White Egrets to attract lots of attention from keen birders.