Cattle Egrets Make Flying Visits to Lodmoor

We are currently in the summer doldrums for birds though the ducklings and cygnets continue to delight our visitors.  Our Mallards and Gadwall are still in moult, all the Common Terns over at Lodmoor have fledged and gone.  The Marsh Harriers are doing their occasional fly past the Discovery Centre, the Butterflies and Tiger Moths can be seen in the hedgerows on the sunnier days, House Martins are flying around above the lake near the Discovery Centre. Swallows and Swifts are still around though they will be flying south later this month as we head towards Autumn.

One visitor we have had over at Lodmoor recently is the Cattle Egret.on 20th July 2 adults and a juvenile were seen. Cattle Egrets bred on the Somerset Levels this year and it is strongly suspected that this is where the juvenile originated.  2 adult Cattle Egrets were seen again on 2nd August and on 8th August a grand total of 12 were seen.

A large influx of Cattle Egrets into the UK occurred during the winter of 2007/08.  One pair bred in Somerset in 2008, raising a single chick.  Cattle Egrets have gone on to nest in other parts of the country.  Still a scarce visitor to Weymouth it was good to see them visit our Lodmoor reserve.

The Cattle Egret is a similar size to the Little Egret, a regular visitor to our reserves.  The image above shows a Cattle Egret on the left and a Little Egret on the right.  The Cattle Egret has a yellow beak and yellow legs and feet.  The Little Egret has a black beak, black legs and yellow feet, image below.

All photos copyright: Paul Williams.  Paul's website: www.paulwilliams.photography 

For all the latest sightings, contact Radipole Lake Discovery Centre, details below or pop in and see us. Hot and cold refreshments, sandwiches and snacks available.