Rare egret joins more common cousins at RSPB nature reserve

Cattle Egret...Phil Woollen

Staff at the RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve are celebrating this summer after an unusual bird – the cattle egret – nested for the first time at their Burton Mere Wetlands site near Neston. Viewers of BBC Springwatch may have seen the nest featured on the show in May, and now visitors are being encouraged to see one of the birds up-close.

Locals and visitors to the reserve will be familiar with the hundreds of little egrets living on the estuary, but prior to this year the much rarer cattle egret had managed just two previous breeding attempts in the entire UK, both in south west England.

As their name suggests, cattle egrets are usually found around cattle and many people recognise them from nature documentaries where they often feature around herds of zebras, wildebeest and water buffalo in sub-Saharan Africa. With bright white feathers, these relatives of the more familiar grey heron are beautiful to see and fairly easy to spot.

Colin Wells, Site Manager at the RSPB Dee Estuary said: “We’ve watched excitedly as little egrets rapidly colonised the Dee Estuary over the past couple of decades, with a total of 84 pairs nesting here this year. Their close relatives, cattle egrets, have been a regular visitor over the past six years since Burton Mere Wetlands opened, usually in the autumn when we have cattle grazing on the reserve.

“Egrets, along with other heron-like birds such as spoonbills, have gradually moved into the UK as their historic breeding areas in Europe are becoming hotter and drier due to climate change.

“Last year we had a record six cattle egrets at one point, but it was surprising to see at least two stay through the winter, even when the cattle were taken indoors to avoid the harsh weather. The birds felt so at home, we were delighted when they stayed to nest in amongst the established little egret colony.”

The pair successfully raised one chick, but they quickly left the area after the youngster flew the nest. However, with cattle grazing the reserve again, one cattle egret has returned and there is hope more will follow.

Colin added: “Visitors have been getting brilliant close views of the cattle egret from the comfort of the Reception Hide. There’s no guarantee how long it will stay, so if you fancy a look at one of these exotic birds close to home, come for a visit soon.”

For more information on wildlife spectacles, facilities and events at Burton Mere Wetlands, visit rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands

Hen Harrier Day 2017 Dunsop Bridge

Another great Hen Harrier day for the RSPB Liverpool Away team

With Natalie Bennett Green MP

Watch all the excellent speakers, video of the event on the Raptor politics home page:

 http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/2017/08/09/video-diary-of-hen-harrier-day-dunsop-bridge-forest-of-bowland-2017/

Laura

Patrick's Camargue adventrue

Got to La Crau around 07:30 and it was already 34C! 

Stork

Hoopoe

On approach Road had Hoopoe and a dozen or so Short-toed Lark. Also had Stone Curlew in a field plus 15 White Stork. On reaching the car park, immediately clocked 4 Black Kite and more than a dozen Kestrel. Closer inspection revealed at least two, probably three male Lesser Kestrel. Scanning around also picked up three Montagu's, two female and one juvenile. A further scan picked up a splendid Iberian Shrike, it's 'curly' eyebrow showing up well, despite the heat haze which was already bad. Also found another couple of Stone Curlew. Was then joined by a Dutch birder and we set off together across the lunar landscape toward the converted sheep barn. On the way there we flushed a lark. When it settled again, I got my scope on it and thought it wasn't a Sky or ST. Dutch guy reckoned it was a Calandra, but, I wasn't wholly convinced. It keep its back to us most of the time so we couldn't really see the black breast patches. When it did turn briefly, there were only what I would describe as hints of patches. Dutch guy was fairly convinced however, so, I'd like a second opinion. I took a bit of video and will upload to Birdforum.  Despite thorough scanning from the barn, we couldn't pick anything else up so headed back to the car park. Driving slowly back up the track, I immediately clocked a pair of Roller! My most sought after bird of the day 😃Then the Dutch guy pointed out another to their left. I then set off for Entressen dump, via the nearby Etang in the hope of seeing Egyptian Vulture.

BW Stilt

The lake contained at least one pair of breeding BW Stilt plus a Great White Egret. On arrival at the dump, it was clear that the place had not been used for a while, especially as it was bereft of birds apart from a single Black Kite. Hadn't realised! However, driving around the perimeter, I managed to see 5 different Rollers, so, clearly a bit of a hotspot for them that I hadn't been aware of before. I then followed the other minor road back to the other side of the Peau De Meau reserve and this produced yet another Roller and, unexpectedly, a Wild Boar, that ran through a stream that I was looking up. 

Roller

I then made the decision to make my way back to Frejus, as it was already 3pm and I hadn't really left enough time to do justice to the Camargue (next time). There then followed the nightmare journey from hell, nearly 6 hours to do what should have been a 1 and a half hour journey! The A8 had been shut due to a logging truck smashing through the central reservation and spilling its load across all carriageways. The delay was further compounded by problems with the crane they used to try and remove the logs!

So, in conclusion, no Little Bustard but still some quality birds and a few lifers to boot. Very happy and still plenty left to explore next year when we are more than likely back again

Pat

SUMMER HOLIDAYS...BORED KIDS?