Great White Egret leaves Rosamund’s Green pond.

A local bird watching website relays the reported sightings of birds around the county. In the last few weeks I’d read that a Great White Egret was regularly visiting one of the small ponds on the famously long village green at Frampton-on-Severn.

I decided to detour there on my way to Gloucester after my appointment for an injection at my doctor’s surgery. I’ve already had a flu jab; this was to build up my vitamin B12 levels.

I arrived at the village around midday and went straight to the green to see if the Egret was any to be seen. I didn’t see it. I parked anyway and then decided to walk to the nearby lake at Frampton Court which is a regular place for us to enjoy peace and quiet and its rich and varied bird life. I ended up on a small promontory which juts out into the lake and allows nearly 360 degree views of the location.

I counted 78 swans around the lake and there were probably more out of sight behind the island. Many coots, grebes, a few geese and gulls and terns swam and flew according to their particular habits. 

Dragonflies still whizzed about on the prowl for food. Flour cormorants rested high up in one of an island’s tree branches, occasionally spreading their wings in the sun before flying off to feed again and then return to their perches. I looked for the egret on the far side where in other years I’ve seen up to three standing in the shallow waters as they hunted for fish, but with no luck.

I returned to the village green where my car was parked near to Rosamund’s Green’s pond where the egret has been spotted. As I walked over the grass to cross the road that running down the middle of the very long village green, I saw a thin white neck and head in the middle of the rushes. I was immediately cheered as I knew this was the egret. I prepared my camera and slowly approached. Before I reached the road I saw the bird edgily turn and lower its head down into the reeds and then turn around. Within five seconds it took flight as a woman walked towards it between the pond and the houses on the far side of the green.
it.

I got several shots of it as it took off and turned immediately to fly in the opposite direction. This picture is not as sharp as my others which followed but it shows the location and adds a sense of drama. I’m going to go back and sit on the bench with a thermos and a sandwich and just watch it while it hunts in the obviously fishy waters. 

From online sources:
Frampton on Severn is a spacious village of twelve hundred residents, situated ten miles from Gloucester, on the eastern side of the River Severn Estuary. It is unusual, as it is set out either side of the village green, which extends to twenty-two acres, probably the largest in England. Most of the houses, which are Georgian or half-timbered cottages, can honestly say that they overlook the green, which contains three ponds and a cricket pitch.
 
The Bell Inn is conveniently situated for cricket matches, as the garden is almost on the boundary. The green is named, Rosamund's Green, after Jane Clifford, King Henry II's mistress, known as, 'Fair Rosamund', who was allegedly poisoned by Queen Eleanor in 1177. The Clifford family, current owners of the Frampton Court Estate, are descendants of Jane Clifford. 
 
The outstanding houses either side of the green, are Frampton Court, built in the 1730's and the timber-framed Manor House, which dates from the 16th century. The Wool Barn, recently restored, is open to the public. Close to the church is another barn, the magnificent Tithe Barn.