泥中蟠龙向天飞

小白鹭
原文作者：Egretta garzetta
译者：红嘴海鸥（Alan Ivan）

小白鹭是一种白色小苍鹭，它的头顶、背部和胸部有着漂亮的白色羽毛，它的腿和喙是黑色的，脚是黄色的。1989年小白鹭第一次成规模的出现在英国，1996年在Dorset第一次繁殖。在近10年里它们的生活范围逐步扩大到法国西部和北部。现在它们在国内南部海滨有很多地方进行繁殖和越冬。小白鹭作为濒危物种被列在黄色列表中。

 

小白鹭的繁殖地
小白鹭是湿地鸟类，它喜欢在水很浅的低地，特别是靠近海岸和江河入海口的地方。它的巢通常和其他苍鹭以及其他湿地鸟类筑在一起。小白鹭的活动范围为出生地，湿地灌木丛和靠近水面高度低于20米的树。

越冬地点
江河入海口，盐沼和进潮口

 

哪里可以看到它？
作为新的殖民者，在南部滨海，东部滨海部分地区可以经常看到它们。南Devon 和 Cornwall江河入海口，Poole 港和Chichester 港是小白鹭的几个最大集中地，在北Norfolk也可以看到它们。

 

它吃什么？
鱼

 

它的叫声像什么？
通常很安静

 

什么季节可以看到它？
全年都能看到。但秋天和冬天它们从大陆迁移过来数目会比较多一些。

 

相近种类
灰苍鹭，琵鹭

 

保护区
Cliffe Pools
Vane Farm
Ynys-hir
Arne
Rainham, Wennington and Aveley Marshes
West Sedgemoor
Lodmoor
Shorne Marshes and Higham Bight
Adur Estuary
Langstone Harbour

关键参数
蛋  3－6枚
孵化期  21－21天
羽毛长成  40－45天
体长  55－65厘米
翼展  88－95厘米
体重  350－550克
英国繁殖  50对
英国越冬  1600只

关键词解释

bill 喙
wetland 湿地
lowland 低地
estuaries江河入海口
scrub灌木
saltmarshes  盐沼

Reedbeds are basically ’temporary’ habitats. Under normal circumstances, an unmanaged reedbed shows a succession from young reed colonising open water or wet ground through a gradation of increasingly dry ground. As reedbeds age, they build up a considerable litter layer which eventually rises above ground or water level, and ultimately provides opportunities for scrub or woodland invasion.Naturally developing reedbeds are found in floodplains, waterlogged depressions and estuaries.

 

原文：
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/l/littleegret/index.asp
Little egret
Egretta garzetta
The little egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet. It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Its colonization followed naturally from a range expansion intro western and northern France in previous decades. It is now at home on numerous south coast sites, both as a breeding species and as a winter visitor. It is included on the Amber List as rare breeding species.

Where does it live?
Breeding
Little egrets are wetland birds with a preference for lowland shallow waters, especially along coasts and estuaries. They nest communally, often alongside the nests of other herons and associated wetland species. Colonies are located in reedbeds, wetland scrub and in trees near water, up to a height of 20m.
Wintering
Coastal estuaries, saltmarshes and tidal inlets.
Where to see it
A recent colonist, it is most commonly found along the south coast, and on parts of the east coast. The estuaries of south Devon and Cornwall; Poole Harbour and Chichester Harbour hold some of the largest concentrations and birds can be seen right round to North Norfolk.
What does it eat?
Fish
What does it sound like?
Mostly silent
When to see it
All year round, although numbers incease in autumn and winter as birds arrive from the Continent.
Similar species
Grey heron, Spoonbill
Reserves
Cliffe Pools
Vane Farm
Ynys-hir
Arne
Rainham, Wennington and Aveley Marshes
West Sedgemoor
Lodmoor
Shorne Marshes and Higham Bight
Adur Estuary
Langstone Harbour

Vital Statistics
Eggs: 3-6
Incubation: 21-22 days
Fledging: 40-45 days
Length: 55-65cm
Wingspan: 88-95cm
Weight: 350-550g
UK breeding: 50 pairs
UK wintering: 1,600 birds