A break in bad weather, some free time, and continuing reports of a Cattle Egret at Thornton, had me going to try and find it on this particular Monday afternoon. Cattle Egrets are relatively rare in these parts, and Thornton is only 13 miles (21 km) from my home.Reports stated that it was being seen in the field behind Sharpe's Close. On arrival I found a firmly closed farm gate between me and a footpath that ran alongside the field edge. Going back onto the main road, and heading south-east, I found access to the footpath from the car park of the Steam Trumpet pub. Slowly making my way to the north-west along the path, my vision being limited by the falling-away curvature of the field, I was beginning to think I'd drawn a blank. However, on reaching another entrance to the footpath, I spotted a white shape between the legs of horses two fields, but only about 35 metres, away from where I was - the egret! I tried for a 'safety shot'.
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| Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) - Thornton |
I stood stock-still, hoping for it to emerge somewhere where I could get a clear shot at it. However, it didn't stay long before flying up into the adjacent field and starting to forage in the mud. I moved to the end near hedge where I could peer round the hedge and watch it at a distance of around 60 metres.
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| Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) - Thornton |
After a while it flew off south east, over the hedge. I retraced my steps along the footpath and found that it had landed at the edge of the field adjacent to the end of St. Peter's Drive. I decided to hide myself behind a bush on the footpath behind Sharpe's Close, where I could watch through a gap in the bush, and wait in the hope that it would make its way towards me, which it eventually did!
In the shots I got, you can just see that the bird has a touch of colour on the crown suggesting that it is heading towards breeding plumage. - I've now been informed that this is a young bird, and not likely to be breeding anytime soon! Thank you, Noushka
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| Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) - Thornton |
Having wandered towards me, it then wandered back again and over the brow of the field and out of sight. I waited a while, and then eventually saw it flying southwards, over the houses. As a very cold wind had suddenly arrived, accompanied by dull weather I came to the conclusion that it was time to go.
I'd not been to Kelham Bridge nature reserve for a while, so decided to call in there on my way back. It started to snow as I reached the first hide, and no birds were visible, other than a few tits at the feeders. There was plenty of ice on the water, and the sun was, amazingly, still shining, although the skies were dark in the distance!
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| from the first hide - Kelham Bridge |
There was little of interest from the second hide, also. Not wanting to come away empty-handed, I took a few shots of the Shovelers there.
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| Shoveler (Anas clypeata) (female) - Kelham Bridge |
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| Shoveler (Anas clypeata) (male) - Kelham Bridge |
It suddenly went dark and heavy snow started falling. Time to go again. I had a good covering of snow by the time I got to the car, and was glad of the car's efficient heater!
It had been a short afternoon's birding, but an enjoyable and rewarding one.
I'm relatively sure that my next post will be on my visit to the Isles of Scilly.
Thank you for dropping by.
