Dungeness purple herons 'in first UK hatching'

Saturday, 26 June 2010 10:35 UK

A pair of purple herons, which are thought to be the first of their type to nest in the UK, appear to have to bred successfully, the RSPB said.

The wildlife charity said the birds are thought to have hatched eggs in the nest they have made on the Dungeness peninsula in Kent.

Purple herons usually breed in southern Europe and visit Britain in small numbers each year.

The RSPB has put a "species protection scheme" in place to protect them.

It said it was not clear how many chicks there were in the nest, but increased activity of the parents coming back and forth to the site indicates they have young to feed.

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."

The purple heron, which is closely related to grey herons that are widespread in the UK, can reach 90cm (2ft 11in) in height.

In Europe, the birds breed in colonies in reedbeds and feed on insects, reptiles and amphibians.

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.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/10423630.stm
(Submitted by Liz R)

Heron tries to swallow turtle for dinner

A heron tried to swallow a turtle for its dinner but was left frustrated as it could not pierce its shell to kill it.

8 Dec 2009

The bird, which usually spears its prey before swallowing it whole, spent 25 minutes attempting to eat the nine inch turtle before flying away carrying the turtle in its beak.

The young Florida Softshell Turtle wriggled as Jose Garcia photographed the Blue Heron at the Everglades National Park in Florida, United States.

Herons, which usually eat fish and small snakes, have been known to choke on prey that is too large.

Mr Garcia, 50, said: "This particular species of heron is the largest of the wading birds and they have been known to prey on everything from fish to small alligators and snakes.

"But in all my years of photographing the Everglades wildlife this is the first time I've seen one of these birds trying to eat a turtle.

"This went on for about 25 minutes, with the bird repositioning the turtle in order to swallow it, to no avail.

"The problem was that the turtle was still alive. It was moving its legs non stop and the circumference of its shell was too wide.

"The bird looked frustrated and the turtle was trying desperately to 'swim' away.

"Eventually, with almost no light the heron flew out of range with the turtle still in its beak.

"If I had to bet money I would say the turtle is now ten to 11 inches in circumference and that heron is probably hunting easier prey."

Blue Herons, or Ardea Herodias, have a head to tail length up to 55 inches, a wingspan up to 79 inches and weigh between 4.4 and 8lbs.

They are found throughout North America near bodies of water, usually nesting in trees or bushes. It has been recorded as a vagrant in England.

Florida Softshell Turtles, or Apalone ferox, are native to the eastern United States and are popular as pets.

They have a long neck, an elongated head, with a long snorkel-like nose and can grow up to 25 inches.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/6838752/Heron-tries-to-swallow-turtle-for-dinner.html