Herons & Egrets in Hampshire

5 species matching this filter.

All birds in HampshireView family page

Hampshire's diverse wetlands, reedbeds, and coastal habitats provide excellent conditions for herons and egrets, with 5 species recorded across the county. The Grey Heron is a familiar sight along rivers and lakes, while the Little Egret has become increasingly common since colonising southern England in the 1990s. Rarer visitors such as the Great White Egret, Cattle Egret, and the elusive Eurasian Bittern can also be encountered, particularly around key sites like the Blashford Lakes and the reedbeds of the New Forest.

Cattle Egret
Cattle EgretSmallest · 46cm
to
Great White Egret
Great White EgretLargest · 104cm
Ranges from the Cattle Egret (46cm) to the Great White Egret (104cm)4 year-round residents
Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare but increasingly regular resident, part of a recent colonisation of southern England. Often found among livestock on Hampshire's farmland.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Bittern

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

A rare passage visitor in late winter, occasionally seen booming or flushed from reedbeds at sites like Titchfield Haven and the Blashford Lakes.

Feb–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An uncommon but increasingly regular resident, often seen at wetland sites such as the Avon valley and Blashford Lakes throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Ardea cinereaLC

A common year-round resident, breeding in heronries across the county. Easily seen along rivers, lakes, and garden ponds.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Egret

Little Egret

Egretta garzettaLC

Now a common resident after colonising in the 1990s. Easily seen along Hampshire's estuaries, harbours and coastal marshes year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Frequently Asked Questions