CATTLE EGRET – 12 since 1980 (not including 2007/08 totals yet)

Above photos of birds at Drift, St Buryan and Halsetown, St Ives in 2007/08. (photographers: M.Halliday, B.McGeough, P.Freestone, C.Buckland)

Records
1980 –  Polgigga 10 Dec – found and died later
              Saltash found dead 13 Dec
1981 –  Camel 7 – 15 Nov but found dead St Mabyn 27 Dec
1985 –  Looe 5 – 8 Dec
1986 –  Luxulyan found dead 22 Nov
1996 –  Sennen Cove – one on 29th Dec
1999  – Kynance 13 – 15 Jun
              Mawgan Porth 26 Apr
2001 –  Gweek (4) on 11 – 31 Dec
2002 –  Three of last year’s birds to 30 Mar when one flew into wires and taken into care. One 15 Apr. Captive
              bird released 18 Apr to join other bird, and one 15 May.

2007 – Large influx into the county with the first bird arriving on the Lizard on 26th November. Two large flocks at Drift and Halsetown in December and January totalled 35+ individuals with other smaller parties of between 2 – 6 individuals elsewhere. On one day the county total was 52+ individuals.

2008 – Last years invasion continued with the main flock of up to 20 birds remaining in the Drift Reservoir area. Others reported at Hay, Wadebridge (6) and Stithians (1+) still in March.