Great white egret sighting by Whitehead birdwathcer

A Whitehead bird watcher believes he has captured a ‘first’ for the area.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Oct 2015, 09:00 BST
Cameron Moore's image of the bird in flight at Larne Lough. INCT 43-754-CONCameron Moore's image of the bird in flight at Larne Lough. INCT 43-754-CON
Cameron Moore's image of the bird in flight at Larne Lough. INCT 43-754-CON

Cameron Moore took this photograph of a great white egret in Larne Lough. He sighted it at Ballycarry Bridge on Sunday afternoon and again on Monday.

Cameron told the Carrick Times: “We spotted it in the middle of the lough, it was feeding.”

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Pointing to its distinctive features of yellow/orange bill, black legs, black feet and an estimated wingspan of 170cms, Cameron stressed: “As far as I’m concerned they have never been recorded in Larne Lough.”

However, there were two sightings earlier this month at Lough Beg, near Toomebridge. He noted that little egrets are more common at Larne Lough with about 40 there at present.

Cameron, who has reported the sighting to the Birdwatchers Association, said the rare visitor has drawn the interest of other bird watchers.