Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis

Local status: Very rare vagrant

A flock of five birds was found in a field at Nunnington but sadly were only present briefly before moving on, four of which were relocated the next day in Lincolnshire, near Mablethorpe. With sightings of this species increasing in the UK & breeding now suspected in Yorkshire, records are increasing.

Records:
2023: Kirkby Wharfe, 17th & 18th December. one

Cattle Egret at Kirkby Wharfe 18th December 2023 © Alan Swain
Cattle Egret at Kirkby Wharfe 18th December 2023 © Alan Swain

2023: Elvington on 13th December. one
2023: Thornton Ellers, 5th, 19th & 28th November. one
2023: Bolton Percy Ings, 5th August. one

Cattle Egret at Bolton Percy Ings 5th August 2023 © Alan Whitehead
Cattle Egret at Bolton Percy Ings 5th August 2023 © Alan Whitehead

2021: Bank Island, 28th October. one
2021: Elvington, 12th March. one
2021: Church Bridge, Melbourne, 26th January. one flew east
2020: Low Grounds at Wheldrake Ings, 9th September remaining in the area until the 16th. (juvenile)

Cattle Egret on Low Grounds 9th September 2020
© Duncan Bye
Cattle Egret on Low Grounds 9th September 2020 © Duncan Bye

2020: Ellerton, flew off towards Thorganby, 11th August. (adult)
2019: Bank Island from the east, before moving off towards Wheldrake Ings, 28th June (adult)
2016: Crook Moor, Thorganby, 15th January. one flew over
1992: Nunnington, 6th May. Five.

Unsubstantiated records:
2008: Wheldrake Ings, 2nd March. No description submitted