The first National Geat White Egret Census took place last week and between 347 and 374 birds were counted in Portugal. Only 9 birds were counted in the Algarve, all of them in the eastern part of the region. This species seems to prefer ricefields and inland lagoons.
A map withe the results can be seen here.
This species is seen almost every year at Ria de Alvor since 2007 and was recorded there for the first time in 1990.
Like other species of herons, the Great White Egret has expanded a lot in Western Europe and the number of birds seen in Portugal is increasing too.
