Great egrets found thriving in Cambridgeshire wetland
Thirteen great egrets were spotted hunting among dead vegetation in a Cambridgeshire field this summer.
These white birds are normally found in freshwater marshes where they hunt fish for their daily meals. The species recovered and grew greatly across Europe until they colonised local shores at the beginning of the century.
A gravel extraction business partnered with the RSPB to transform low quality agricultural land into a dynamic wetland. The future of this area remains open as experts study how it might evolve further in coming years. It is already hosting water voles and bitterns alongside spined loaches and marsh harriers.
Digging into the soil uncovered ancient bones of beavers and dalmatian pelicans from the Neolithic era. These old finds suggest the land once supported rich wildlife populations before they declined significantly over time.
The conversion of land into rich wetlands allows diverse species to thrive again in the region today. Such changes demonstrate how careful management can bring nature back to places that lost their wild habitats long ago.