Visiting purple herons breed in UK for first time

A PAIR of purple herons have managed to breed successfully in the UK for the first time.

The striking birds breed in southern Europe and visit Britain in small numbers each year.

But the pair, which have made their home on the Dungeness peninsula, Kent, appear to have managed a UK first by hatching eggs here, the RSPB said.

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The wildlife charity said it was not clear how many chicks there were in the nest.

Experts said the bird, which has struggled in Europe in recent decades, is one of the species likely to be setting up home in southern Britain as climate change pushes wildlife further north.

But the RSPB is concerned the site at Dungeness, where the organisation has a nature reserve, is under threat from the potential development of the airport at Lydd.

The Government has called in a decision by Shepway Council to allow the airport to expand operations and it is set to be subject to a public inquiry.

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Chris Corrigan, the RSPB's regional director for South East England, said: "The arrival of these chicks is a timely reminder the Dungeness peninsula is one of the most important and sensitive wildlife habitats in the UK."