5th December : Cattle Egrets.

Two Cattle Egrets were a welcome sight on a dull & gloomy day alongside the river Thame at Shabbington as they fed in the distance amongst seven Little & a single Great White Egret.

 

After about 20 minutes the smaller Egrets moved closer & began feeding in the darker vegetation leaving their larger cousin behind, one Little Egret flew over us, relocating further down stream, the two Cattle Egrets upped sticks & followed as well accompanied by two more Little Egrets. Stewart had already checked the area where they'd settled, so knowing we could just about see through the Phragmites, we followed suit, where Stewart was able to just about get a couple of decent images through the swaying Phragmites. 

As we made our way back to the car three more Great White Egrets were spread across a large field feeding in long vegetation.

Also of note were a Chinese Water Deer, Heron, Raven, c150 Lesser Black-backed Gulls & c80 Lapwings.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone/Stewart Dennis.