64
WITH JOHN ASHTON B
ack in June we were looking at the unprecedented visits of foreign Herons and Egrets
to our part of Devon. This has been a memorable year and the story continues apace ... During the past 100 years the
breeding range of the CATTLe eGReT has shown the most phenomenal expansion of any bird. They evolved to feed alongside Eelephants and buffaloes on the African Savannah but were quick to transfer their loyalties to domestic cattle and this adaptability has enabled them to spread to all the 7 continents of the world. In 2008 they successfully bred in Somerset and it was only a matter of time before they nested in Devon. One of a trio of young birds photographed by Alan Doidge earlier this year at South Efford shows a black-billed fledgling whose beak will rapidly change to to the usual bright yellow. Also Rodney Bone has seen a juvenile and adult in a nearby heronry, (egrets and herons tend to nest together).
Trio of juvenile Cattle Egrets, one still has black beak
Spoonbill flying So, despite some prevarication
from various quarters, I think it’s time to agree that “Cattle egrets have bred on the River Avon this year”. The GReAT WHiTe eGReT is
also expanding its range and more of these magnificent birds are appearing in the South Hams every year. They first bred in Somerset in 2012 and there are at least a dozen pairs this year. I can’t wait for the first nest down here. They would make a spectacular addition to the local bird-life. Why are all these newcomers being drawn to Somerset ? Well,
Black-beak fledgling
I was born and bred there myself and can tell you that Somerset is basically one big bog with very little evidence of civilisation. Consequently that area of the South West makes a perfect breeding ground for species that prefer a quiet life and have a propensity for getting their feet wet while feeding!
Duo of juvenile Cattle Egrets
Bird watching
Great White and Little Egret showing amazing size difference
in association with
Binoculars
www.king–
print.co.uk
Binoculars, Scopes & Astronomical Telescopes Tel: (01548) 856757
www.king-print.co.uk TOP of the TOWN, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon. TQ7 1PP
Scopes
Instore, Online or Mobile
Top of the Town, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon. TQ7 1PP
Photos Tel: (01548) 856757
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