Wednesday 9 November 2016

Cattle Egret

I spotted this bird at the far end of the bull paddock.

Cattle Egret @ Jocees Farm

I'd never seen one on the farm, but after some research found out it was a Cattle Egret. They fly over from Australia in autumn to over-winter and are usually found around cattle and sheep.

Cattle Egret @ Jocees Farm

A small stocky egret similar in size to a white faced heron, with a shorter neck and hunched posture. This is the smallest egret found in New Zealand and their numbers are dwindling after poor breeding seasons in Australia.

Cattle Egret @ Jocees Farm

Another visitor to the farm is this white goose. We don't know where he came from but he seems to be enjoying the bull paddocks too.