WWT Martin Mere celebrates record breaking number of cattle egret

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough, West Lancashire, sees a site record of 74 cattle egrets roosting on site.

The birds were counted using a thermal camera as they gathered to roost in a tree beside the Mere Side Café, alongside a handful of grey herons.

The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a small, white heron renowned for its close relationship with grazing animals such as cows, sheep, and horses. 

The species feeds on invertebrates, including grasshoppers, ticks, and crickets, flushed out by the movement of livestock. Sometimes, they can even be seen eating frogs. At Martin Mere, they can often be seen shadowing the English Longhorn herd, waiting as the cattle’s hooves disturb insects in the fields.

Highly sociable, the cattle egret typically nest and roost in large colonies, often alongside other heron species. Their growing presence at Martin Mere mirrors a wider national trend: cattle egret numbers across the UK are increasing.

Once considered a rare visitor, the species first bred in Britain in 2008, when two pairs nested in Somerset following a large influx of birds that winter. Since then, their population has expanded, from occasional sightings to dozens of breeding pairs nationwide.

In September 2024, the site record for WWT Martin Mere was 29 Cattle egrets, which shows the dramatic increase in numbers just over one year later at 74. WWT’s Arundel site saw the cattle egret nest for the first time in 2024, with seven nests and at least six fledged chicks confirmed. Although, it still remains a rare breeding bird in the UK but a more regular winter visitor.

According to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, this rise is likely linked to a combination of warming winters and better protection of breeding habitats. 

Wildlife-friendly farming practices may also be contributing. Regenerative approaches that improve soil health support richer invertebrate populations, creating ideal feeding conditions for the cattle egret.

The record count at Martin Mere highlights the importance of well-managed wetlands and grasslands for supporting expanding bird species and offers visitors a fantastic opportunity to witness this bird up close.