BIRDWATCHERS are flocking to see a rare species at Lancashire wildlife parks.

The juvenile black crowned night heron is the fifth member of the heron family to visit Brockholes nature reserve, which is just off the M6 at Samlesbury, this year.

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Brockholes bird expert and photographer Bill Aspin said: “The night heron at number one pit is the first record of the bird in the area since an adult was seen on the Redscar bend of the River Ribble in May 1987.”

The bird at Brockholes is camouflaged among the reed beds by its brown feathers, and stands motionless by the water’s edge at night, ready to ambush fish, frogs, insects and small mammals.

During the day, the bird rests in bushes and trees, thrilling visitors with its crow-like call. Trust communications and campaigns officer, Alan Wright, said: “The sighting at Brockholes is exciting because the reserve is only three years old, and proves that the work we have done is bearing fruit.”

The heron isn’t the only rare bird to have made an appearance in the county recently. At RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale – which is home of one of the biggest reedbeds in the north west – bearded tits have made an appearance after efforts to welcome the regular visitor.

Assistant warden Alasdair Grubb said: “To avoid having to migrate in winter like swifts and swallows, the bearded tits change their diet to the seeds of the reeds, with the help of grit. Reed seed is very hard and, as bearded tits don’t have teeth, they have to take in grit to grind up the seed so they can digest it.

“To help, we put grit out on trays where the bearded tits gather most mornings through October, creat-ing a great opportunity for people to come along and see these otherwise elusive birds.”

 

HERON FACTFILE

  • Black crowned night herons are small with squat, thick proportions.
  • They have thick necks, pointed bills, short legs, and have broad, rounded wings.
  • Adult birds are lighter in colour with black backs and bills, while younger herons have white spots on their wings and yellow and black bills.
  • Social birds, the heron likes to roost and nest in groups, although they usually hunt for food on their own.
  • Young herons leave their nest at four-weeks-old but don’t fly until they are six-weeks-old. Instead, they move through vegetation on foot.
  • The oldest heron on record reached the age of 21 years and one month old.