Cattle Egrets

Yesterday I was at Martin Mere and saw a flock of 44 cattle egrets flying over the fields behind Sunley's, the largest flock of cattle egrets that I have ever seen in the UK. Earlier a dawn count had revealed at least 51 birds. Like little and great white, cattle egret has really spread in recent years to the extent that they now breed in the Southport area and last year I heard of a roost containing over 500 birds in Somerset. 

Even so, despite their dramatic increase they're still quite localised. For example, there's only ever been one record of the species in St Helens and that was way back in 2008, despite there being many square miles of suitable looking habitat on the Rainford mosslands. As the cattle egret flies, it's just 14km (9 miles) from the herd of cows at Dairy Farm Road to the flock of 51 cattle egrets at Martin Mere, but they never seem to make it. 

Greater Manchester does a little better but not much. I've seen five at Pennington Flash over the past 45 years, but it's still classed as a Greater Manchester mega. Meanwhile, Brockholes nature reserve near Preston on the Ribble, recorded it's first ever cattle egret just a few weeks ago.

Today I went for a walk on the Great Orme with Elaine. The birding highlight was this cattle egret flying over the sea below the lighthouse. It's certainly the first that I have ever seen at the Orme and when I checked my database, it turns out that it's only the second that I have ever seen in Wales. Perhaps I should get out more......

There were some glorious autumn colours today. Bracken is a much maligned plant and often for good reason, but it never looks so good as it does at this time of year. I love the rusty colour set behind the green grass and in front of the blue sea!