Cause: African herons are breeding for the first time in Austria due to climate change
Many travelers to Africa know the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) as a companion to the large herds of ungulates in the savannas. Its breeding range used to be limited to southern Spain and Africa. In the course of the 20th century it colonized America and Australia and spread to southern Europe. Today it inhabits wetlands throughout the southern half of the continent with a focus on the Iberian Peninsula. In the last 20 years its range has expanded to the north (to the Netherlands and Great Britain) and east and has already reached Central Europe with our neighboring countries Hungary and the Czech Republic.
“Due to the increasingly warm climate here in Austria and the increasing drought in Spain, it was only a matter of time before the cattle egret would settle here,” explains Florian Billinger, a specialist at BirdLife Austria. The ornithologist explains that at least four breeding pairs have found their home on the Lower Inn as follows: “The Lower Inn is one of the most important breeding, resting and wintering sites for many birds in Austria.”
Why at the lower inn?
There are three factors mentioned why the Lower Inn is so attractive for cattle egrets: As colony breeders, they like to join long-term, successful, species-mixed heron colonies, such as those found on the Lower Inn. In addition, since the power plant was built in 1966, the area has been largely undisturbed due to the decades-long ban on entry. Compared to other Austrian heron breeding sites, the Lower Inn is not in danger of drying out. Its backwater areas with the many large areas of shallow water represent high-quality, nutritious, safe and fast, undisturbed habitat for water-bound bird species.
Just observing cattle egrets migrating is a big exception in Austria. Only a few observations per year are successful – there has not been a single sighting at the Lower Inn in the last four years. At the beginning of June, Thomas and Christa Pumberger from Aspach (Braunau/Inn district) observed an adult cattle egret in breeding plumage for the first time. From now on, the observations and also the number of cattle egrets increased: From mid-June onwards courtship took place, nesting material was collected and nests were built. Stable at the end of June: Austria’s first breeding site is created here. At least four nests are now incubated.