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A Cattle Egret on the Doorstep

2024, Birds, Birds of 2024 1 Response »

Feb 012024

Well you’ve got to twitch a Cattle Egret when it’s right on your doorstep! A post went out on social media on 30th January, stating that a Cattle Egret was in a sheep field at Staunton Harold Hall, ten minutes from where I live, but unfortunately in Leicestershire by a couple of miles! So the morning of 31st January, I decided to go and look for it. Well I scoured the fields and areas where I thought it might be and couldn’t locate it, or any sheep for that matter. I did find 2 Red Kite, a Raven, five Nuthatch and a pair of Egyptian Geese, three Gadwall and three Little Grebe, but sadly no sign of the Cattle Egret.

I went back home and we decided to head back to the Hall and have some lunch in the nearby Stables Courtyard. As we arrived, I decided to walk to the edge of the lake area to scan, just incase the Egret was present. As I was walking towards the area, I received a tip-off that the bird was back, so it was, much to my delight. After lunch we headed back home, I picked up my camera and made my way back to the Hall. Perfect timing as the bird was showing well, as they say. A great end to a great day birding around my local area, with two Great White Egret, six Little Egret, a female type Goosander, 17 Wigeon as other highlights.

First Moth Trap of 2024

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Jan 302024

Mild conditions on 28th January persuaded me to run an overnight moth trap. Return was just 1 Pale Brindled Beauty, slightly disappointing. Nevertheless, the earliest date that I’ve ever recorded a moth in my garden in 20 odd years of moth recording.

A Rare Visitor from the Taiga Forests of Siberia.

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Jan 252024

A male Black-throated Thrush had taken up residence at Tophill Low Nature Reserve, near Bridlington in Yorkshire. I had been meaning to go and see this bird, and eventually timing and a suitable day all fell into place. Along with a good photography pal, we made the journey on 16th January. A cold but bright and sunny morning, ideal conditions. Some great year ticks fell in place.

After a distraction on route to look at a mixed party of 70 Whooper and 4 Bewick’s Swan, we arrived at Tophill Low just as the site was being opened up for the day. After a 15-20 minute walk, we arrived at the birds favoured location, and after 10 minutes or so, I managed to locate the bird feeding on berries in Hawthorn scrub. What a smart looking bird, a real vagrant from the taiga forests of Siberia. Single birds find their way to Britain every so often. It’s a real treat to see one, especially when it’s a male. Eventually it moved into more central scrub and showed quite well. Whilst walking back to the car park, a Cattle Egret flew over. We finished off the day at Bridlington Harbour and had a session with the local Purple Sandpipers. A great day out.

Further Encounters with the Pink Punks

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Jan 252024

As the Waxwings were staying site faithful to Hassop Station, near Bakewell, I simply had to go back for a second time around. So I revisited the site on 15th January, and this time it was a week day, so wasn’t as busy as the first trip in late December. It was also a good excuse to get Waxwing on the year list for 2024, you never know if it will be another five year wait for an invasion year to come around again.

There were still good numbers on site, in excess of a hundred birds, and the weather was perfect, so it was fill-yer-boots time! A few Redwings were about and the odd Fieldfare. However, by the end of January it was a different story, and the birds were beginning to disperse, and by 24th January there were much smaller numbers at Hassop.

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