Grimley Cattle Egret & Stonechat

Cattle Egret

Flight shot

Egret grabbing insects from where Cattle had been walking

Nice size comparison

Cheeky Stonechat

All three in shot

Arty shot

Perched up

Early morning on the causeway

Riverside

Opted for a change of scenery on Saturday as both Mrs D and I fancied a decent walk with some nice habitat. After weighing up a few options we headed to Grimley. To be honest, on all previous visits I have only really visited the Camp Lane pit or the Wagaon Wheel pits and not explored anywhere else. 

The cold temperature of night had caused a blanket of fog so it took a while for it to lift into the stunning day it actually became.  With the fog making viewing difficult we headed east towards the river. To the field just off the lane I found two Stonechats flying around catching insects off the top of the reeds. 

After checking the Wagon Wheel pits we followed a tip by local birder "Patch" to where the recently seen Cattle Egret had been seen. Sadly no luck here except a Buzzard sat perched picked out by Mrs D. We then headed south along the river where the walking was stunning. More Buzzards, Kestrel & three Mistle Thrushes were all noted. I'd certainly do this walk again as it was a real unexpected surprise. 

Patch then text us saying the Great White Egret earlier seen was back on the main pit but quickly moved off again before we arrived. On the plus side the Stonechat had now risen to three and were showing very well.

After a recharge for lunch I was determined to see the Cattle Egret that was finally found in the Wagon Wheel Cattle field.  Only downside the field of cows included a sizeable Bull that looked like it was chewing a bumble bee. I duly kept my distance as I tried to take some record images. Cattle Egret are the latest species to colonise after Little Egret, Great White Egret & Spoonbills. There was a influx in the winter of 2007/8 which led to the first youngster being raised in Somerset in 2008.


As I left there was a female Goldeneye on the same pit which was a nice addition to round up an excellent days birding.