Cattle egrets nest at wetland for the first time

Three nests have been spotted at the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre

Cattle egret birds have nested at a wetland site in West Sussex for the first time.

Three nests, all with hatched, active chicks, have been spotted at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre.

The birds were uncovered by reserve manager Suzi Lanaway after she heard the noise of chicks last week.

“The cattle egrets are still in their breeding plumage, sporting the characteristic orange feathers on the head, breast and back,” she said.

The brief glimpses of the chicks showed they were already well-feathered and could leave the nests in a few weeks, the centre said.

Cattle egrets first bred in the UK in 2008.

The first cattle egret chicks recorded in Sussex were in 2020, with five nests found at Pagham Harbour.

Before 2008, the nearest nesting sites to the UK were in Northern France.

Sightings of these small, white herons have increased at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre over the past three years.

Cattle egrets have yellow-grey legs and a yellow beak, instead of the black legs and black beak of the little egret.

They are attracted to farmland, wetlands and grassland habitats.

Ms Lanaway said: “We were hopeful they were building nests, and we are so excited to have seen the chicks.”