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Bird watchers from across the North West have been flocking to Pennington
Flash near Leigh this weekend to try and lay their eyes on a very rare
feathered visitor to the UK’s shores.
A Cattle Egret was spotted pruning its feathers at the flash on Sunday
2nd December in what is believed to be the first ever sighting of the
bird in Greater Manchester. It is only ever been spotted in the North
West of England a handful of times.
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a small white heron. It is a stocky
species, averaging 51cm long and weighing 200-600g, with a short thick
bill. The adult bird has an all-white plumage, a yellow bill, and
greyish-yellow legs. The sexes are very similar, but juvenile birds have
a black bill.
This bird is native to parts of Asia, America and Europe. It is more
common in the south-western parts of the Mediterranean such as Spain and
Portugal than in Northern Europe. Cattle Egrets also may gather in rural
and urban locations, provided there is a pond or pool of some kind
around.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Senior Ranger Peter Alker said: “We are
really excited at this find. It goes to show what a great environment
Pennington Flash is for all kinds of birds – this is a real rarity and
we are proud to have yet another first for Greater Manchester. We have
recorded more than 230 species of birds at Pennington and the list
continues to grow. We always welcome bird watchers to the Flash but we
would ask that they respect the golf course and other areas of the park
used by other visitors during this busy period.”
For further information about Pennington Flash or the sighting of the
Cattle Egret contact Peter Alker on 01942 605253. Alternatively contact
Ian McKerchar from Manchester Birding on 07958 687481 or
ian@mckerchar.freserve.co.uk.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Photographs: The attached images show the Cattle Egret.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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Photograph of the Cattle Egret
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