Purple heron chick is Uk'S first
A chick born to the first pair of purple herons to breed in the UK has been spotted emerging from the nest, the RSPB confirmed yesterday.
The young bird was seen early on Tuesday by volunteer Phil Eglise who was on watch at the wildlife charity's Dungeness reserve in Kent.
Mr Eglise said he saw the young heron clamber up willow bushes near the nest in an apparent effort to try to gain height before flying.
"It was practising flapping its wings before flying around in a couple of brief circles above the nesting reed bed.
"The sighting lasted about 45 minutes to an hour."