Herons and egrets make a comeback

Until the mid-20th century, the European populations of many heron and egret species suffered massive losses as wetlands were drained and the birds were persecuted for their plumage. In several of our neighbouring countries, the negative trend was halted when feathers went out of fashion and hunting pressure decreased (herons and egrets were placed under protection in France in 1975). Newly designated, largely undisturbed sanctuaries with vast reedbeds facilitated the recovery of local species and the colonisation by new ones. The development of rice farming in the Camargue and the Po Valley created shallow, inundated areas rich in invertebrates and amphibians, improving the breeding success of herons and egrets and raising the number of wintering birds. The Cattle Egret, for example, has bred in France since 1969 and numbers are growing rapidly. France and Italy together supported more than 20 000 breeding pairs in 2014. The Squacco Heron is also expanding its area of distribution. The Eurasian Spoonbill has bred in France since 1981, and the Glossy Ibis has been a regular breeder since 2006. Somewhat less encouraging are the fluctuating European populations of the Purple Heron and the Black-crowned Night Heron. However, despite the negative long-term prospects, there have been some positive local trends since 2000.

Trend of the presence index in spring (15 March – 30 June) for four species with the strongest increase in Switzerland. Great White Egret and Little Egret (left axis) as well as Cattle Egret and Squacco Heron (right axis).

The situation in Switzerland is not comparable with France, as Great White Egret and Black-crowned Night Heron have only bred here occasionally in the past few years, and the Little Egret made a single breeding attempt near Zug in 2014 that was unsuccessful. Apart from the Grey Heron, only the Purple Heron has increased in number in Switzerland, reaching 17 breeding pairs in 2016, the highest level since 1965. Switzerland is not well suited to accommodate large colonies of herons or egrets due to the lack of vast and undisturbed wetlands. The increases in neighbouring countries are therefore primarily reflected in higher numbers of passage migrants and wintering birds. Such is the case of the Great White Egret, a species native to the plains of central and eastern Europe that only began to winter entirely in Switzerland on a regular basis in 1994/1995. The Little Egret is gaining ground as well, and has bred in several areas close to the Swiss border in France and in the province of Varese since 2009. The Cattle Egret is also gradually approaching our borders.

The history of herons and egrets in Europe is closely associated with large-scale conservation efforts and a positive change in public awareness. There are two ways in which the growing populations in neighbouring countries could have a positive impact in Switzerland: on the one hand, scarce species such as Great White Egret, Little Egret and Black-crowned Night Heron could become regular breeders; on the other hand, new species might breed here for the first time. The long-term conservation of herons and egrets, and all other waterbirds, depends crucially on the maintenance of a dense network of undisturbed wetlands extending across Europe.

Species concerned

Grey Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron

Purple Heron

Little Egret

Great Egret

Recommended citation of the Atlas online:
Knaus, P., S. Antoniazza, S. Wechsler, J. Guélat, M. Kéry, N. Strebel & T. Sattler (2018): Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016. Distribution and population trends of birds in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach.

References

BirdLife International (2017): European birds of conservation concern: populations, trends and national responsibilities. BirdLife International, Cambridge.

Culat, A. (2009): Première reproduction constatée de l’Aigrette garzette Egretta garzetta dans le département du Doubs. Falco 40: 92–94.

Dubois, P. J., G. Olioso, P. Yésou, P. Le Maréchal & M. Duquet (2017): Notes d’ornithologie française. Troisième mise à jour du nouvel inventaire des oiseaux de France. Ornithos 24: 57–107.

Fasola, M. & E. Cardarelli (2015): Long-term changes in the food resources of a guild of breeding Ardeinae (Aves) in Italy. Ital. J. Zool. 82: 238–250.

Fasola, M., D. Rubolini, E. Merli, E. Boncompagni & U. Bressan (2010): Long-term trends of heron and egret populations in Italy, and the effects of climate, human-induced mortality, and habitat on population dynamics. Popul. Ecol. 52: 59-72.

Hagemeijer, W. J. M. & M. J. Blair (1997): The EBCC atlas of European breeding birds. Their distribution and abundance. Poyser, London.

Issa, N. & Y. Muller (2015): Atlas des oiseaux de France métropolitaine. Nidification et présence hivernale. Vol. 1: Des Anatidés aux Alcidés, Vol. 2: Des Ptéroclididés aux Embérizidés. LPO/SEOF/MNHN. Delachaux et Niestlé, Paris.

Martinez, N. & L. Maumary (2016a): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 2015. 25e rapport de la Commission de l’avifaune suisse. Nos Oiseaux 63: 243–257.

Martinez, N. & L. Maumary (2016b): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 2015. 25. Bericht der Schweizerischen Avifaunistischen Kommission. Ornithol. Beob. 113: 269–298.

Muller, Y., C. Dronneau & J.-M. Bronner (2017): Atlas des oiseaux d’Alsace. Nidification et hivernage. Collection “Atlas de la faune d’Alsace”. LPO Alsace, Strasbourg.

Müller, C. (2017): Seltene und bemerkenswerte Brutvögel 2016 in der Schweiz. Ornithol. Beob. 114: 147–160.

Nardelli, R., A. Andreotti, E. Bianchi, M. Brambilla, B. Brecciaroli, C. Celada, E. Dupré, M. Gustin, V. Longoni, S. Pirrello, F. Spina, S. Volponi & L. Serra (2015): Rapporto sull’applicazione della Direttiva 147/2009/CE in Italia: dimensione, distribuzione e trend delle popolazioni di uccelli (2008-2012). Serie Rapporti 219/2015. Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Roma.

Pernollet, C. A., F. Mesléard & M. Guillemain (2018): Importance des rizières pour la conservation des oiseaux d’eau en Camargue. S. 363–375 in: J.-C. Mouret & B. Leclerc (Hrsg.): Le Riz et la Camargue. Vers des agroécosystèmes durables. Cadère/Educagri, Avignon.

Sattler, T., P. Knaus, H. Schmid & B. Volet (2017a): État de l’avifaune en Suisse. Rapport 2017. Station ornithologique suisse, Sempach.

Sattler, T., P. Knaus, H. Schmid & B. Volet (2017b): Situazione dell’avifauna in Svizzera. Rapporto 2017. Stazione ornitologica svizzera, Sempach.

Sattler, T., P. Knaus, H. Schmid & B. Volet (2017c): The state of birds in Switzerland. Report 2017. Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach.

Sattler, T., P. Knaus, H. Schmid & B. Volet (2017d): Zustand der Vogelwelt in der Schweiz. Bericht 2017. Schweizerische Vogelwarte, Sempach.

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