A Cattle Egret at King's Meads

22nd November 2020

Little Egrets started moving into the UK some 20 years ago, followed by Great White Egrets 5-10 years ago, and the most recent egret to expand its range northwards is the Cattle Egret. The smallest of the three egrets found in the UK, its stubby orange bill and habit of associating with cattle make it quite easy to find and identify.

On the 18th November Barry Reed found a Cattle Egret at King's Meads between Hertford and Ware, and as far as I am aware is the first record for the site. It was roosting at Amwell and coming to King's Meads to feed and was spending most of its time on Widow's Meads, immediately west of the small-holding by the Lee Navigation.

Unfortunately photography was difficult as it was a little distant and the light was best early morning and late afternoon, but at least I managed a few record shots including a size comparison with a Little Egret.