This afternoon on Exminster Marsh I am pleased to report a sighting and photos of the Cattle Egret that was first seen at the beginning of the week. It was amongst a small herd of cattle around 50 yards from the nearest path so very hard to get a good photo.
I was pretty confident that it would come closer but as I waited patiently I could not believe my eyes when one of the volunteer wardens tramped towards it inside the reserve and quite close. The bird at the time was hidden amongst reeds by the side of one of the dykes and it continued to be hidden while the trespasser stood close. It amused me that I could see it and he couldn't and after a minute or two looking around with his bins he turned and walked away, then the bird flew off without him ever seeing it........... and he never even knew!! It did annoy me at first but now I can se the funny side of it. Surely the RSPB are there to protect the birds and the reserve is not the personal play area of those who give their time either voluntarily or for a salary. He was not there in any other capacity than an observer like myself and shouldn't have been there. Particularly as he spoilt it for me because it never did come back.
So back to Black-tailed Godwits and they just keep getting easier.
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