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"Extremely rare" bird in Inishowen
08.01.13
BIRDWATCHERS are flocking to Inishowen in the hope
of seeing an African visitor that has rarely been
seen in Ireland.
A cattle egret has been spotted at a pig farm near
the village of St Johnston causing much excitement
and interest among wildlife enthusiasts and
ornithologists.
Birdwatch Ireland development officer, Niall Hatch,
said while sightings of the large white bird in
Ireland are rare, the occurrence so far north is
"exceptionally rare".
He said our milder than usual winter and climate
change generally were possible contributory factors
in the bird’s arrival.
"This is a very rare bird generally for Ireland but
getting one as far north as Donegal is an
exceptional occurrence," said Mr Hatch. |
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Pssst...Hey pig, I can teach you to
fly. Photo: Christine Cassidy. |
The cattle egret is a
migratory member of the heron family and is native
to Africa and Asia. It is often found riding on the
backs of herd animals such as wildebeest on the
plains and savannahs of the tropics and sub-tropics.
Mr Hatch said sightings of the bird at a livestock
farm would be typical given that it is an
opportunist feeder and follows large animals to
catch insects disturbed by them in the earth.
A number of cattle egrets, which have a wingspan of
about three feet at maturity, have previously been
recorded by Birdwatch Ireland in southern counties
including Cork, Waterford and Wexford in recent
years. |
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Cattle Egret at pig farm in St
Johnston, Co Donegal. Photo: Christine Cassidy. |
The organisation's
records now show just two sightings of the cattle
egret in Co Donegal. Mr Hatch said the first ever
sighting of a cattle egret in neighbouring Co Tyrone
last November is likely the same bird.
"This is an important sighting in Donegal not only
because it is such a rare bird in the overall Irish
context but when you see birds like this turning up
in new areas and expanding their range, it is often
a sign that something is changing.
"It would contribute more evidence towards theories
behind climate change. Over time, a pattern does
seem to be building up with this species," he said.
Our photograph of the cattle egret in St Johnston
was captured by nature enthusiast, Christine Cassidy
from Derry who was accompanied by members of the
Inishowen Wildlife Club when they witnessed the rare
bird. |
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