Having been stuck indoors all day covering my son in his computer shop in Rothbury I was keen to get out in the fresh air in the evening. A report of a Great White Egret at Prestwick Carr was enough for us to meander down there via the scenic route. At first I wondered whether the bird had ever existed as several birders reported no sightings since mid Afternoon.
The flash N/W of the crossroads at Mayfair House was very shallow and not conducive to an Egret feeding. However we wandered about and found our first Whitethroat of the year further north along the track indulging in some quiet subsong. Also two Grasshopper Warblers singing and single Yellow Wagtail & Wheatear in the horse field. Also at least 48 Pied/White wagtails but even scope views were difficult to tell how many of each. At least ten though were White.
On leaving we were called back by a birder who had just located the Egret ! It was distantly west in the horse field on a different pool that was obviously slightly deeper. Views were often blocked by one of the horses which may have accounted for missing it first time around. News was put out and within ten minutes Pete Fletcher was back on his home patch keen to see the Egret. I presume it was him that saw the bird leave N/E at 19:30 as we had left by then off to the Highlander for a welcome evening meal. TRD/JD