The first wintering record of the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis in the Neretva Delta

During the winter of 2022/2023, high numbers of Cattle Egrets, Bubulcus ibis, were observed in the Neretva Delta. Between 1st December 2022 and 27th February 2023, 23 field visits were undertaken to their foraging area, recording 21 to 58 birds per day. Maximum numbers were observed in late December, while in January and February around 30 birds stayed in the area. This is the first observation of wintering Cattle Egrets in the Neretva Delta and exceptionally high winter numbers for Croatia