Western Cattle Egret breeds in Oxfordshire for first time

As part of its continued expansion across England, Western Cattle Egret has bred in Oxfordshire for the first time this summer.

At least two juveniles were photographed at Blenhem Park, with the images uploaded to the Oxon Birding blog yesterday. A later reported confirmed that at least five youngsters were on a minimum of three, but perhaps up to four, nests. The first BirdGuides report of the species at this site only came in April this year, but since then up to six adults have been reported.

Juvenile Western Cattle Egret at Blenheim Park ​​​​​​(via Oxon Birding Blog).

The news comes a year after it was announced that five pairs had nested at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex, and that four pairs bred at Holkham Estate, Norfolk – both county firsts.

This summer's continued expansion follows a successful 2019 and 2020, in which the species nested in five new counties. Bar any sort of major obstacle, such as a particularly cold and protracted winter, there seems to be no clear obstacle to this rapid upward trend continuing into 2022 and beyond.