Sir, With reference to the article on Page 4 of last week's Observer (February 3) of a 'rare bird sighting at Llawhaden', the egret mentioned is, I have no doubt, a little egret, which is by far the most common species of egret seen in Pembrokeshire and in the UK. Twenty years ago this species was an uncommon visitor to the UK, but since then, its range in Europe, once confined to the Mediterranean coast, has expanded extraordinarily rapidly, in a northern direction. It soon became a regular visitor to the UK, and in 1996 it nested for the first time in the south of England. By 1999 it was breeding in nine localities, with 30 to 36 nesting pairs. Since then it has spread and increased its numbers, and I understand has bred on the south Carmarthenshire coast. The egrets are a branch of the heron family.
Michael Higgins, Penally.
PS: In the last week I have seen little egrets at Penally and Llanelli (new golf course).