Country diary: A great white egret darts into view, as if walking on stilts

Waltham Brooks, West Sussex: Sightings of this remarkable bird are becoming more common as their numbers increaseThe Downs are fading behind a curtain of rain in the distance. I battle through the mud to take a closer look at the pools of water. The golden brown reeds sway in the breeze and it begins to rain. Ducks are swimming and upending, raising their tails as they reach below the surface for food. Among the mallards, teals, wigeons and shovelers are three handsome male pintail ducks, with chocolate-brown faces, grey flanks, black-and-white backs and the pointed black tails that give them their name.Behind them, on the other side of the pool, is a tall, gleaming white heron with a long, snake-like neck - a great white egret. Slightly smaller than a grey heron, it stands upright with legs splayed and large, pale bill pointing up, but its eyes are looking down at the dark water. The egret moves in sudden, balletic sweeps, first one way, then another, as it watches the fish darting back and forth. It wades towards me, slowly moving its thin legs with long strides, as if walking on stilts. Continue reading...