New visitor!

In eighteen years, I have never seen a great white egret in our garden before so it was amazing to see one sitting on our hedge. I might name him ‘George’ in honour of the day! 

Grey herons, however, are daily visitors and there was one nearby but it flew off before I could get a picture. I wonder if they're friends? 

Disclaimer: There is some dispute on Facebook as to whether this is a heron or an egret. Any bird experts on here?

Update: It’s a leucistic (white) heron.