cattle egret

Cattle egret at Martin Mere this afternoon. A bit of a faraway cropped shot but it was good to see the egrets. The view through binoculars was much better. 

These birds are normally seen in fields with cattle but today they were grouped together on a small island. Although they are increasing in numbers in the UK, they are much rarer than the little egret. I've seen them twice before in fields closer to my home, but they are not the kind of bird you see too often in this country. They started breeding here on the Somerset Levels in 2008. 

In African wildlife films you often see them perched on the back of buffaloes or elephants.