Guest guest Posted June 5, 2007 Report Share Posted June 5, 2007 Return of heron after 141 years Return of heron after 141 years The Squacco Heron was last seen in Greater London in 1866 A species of bird which has not been seen in Greater London for 141 years has reappeared. A squacco heron was last spotted at the Kingsbury Reservoir, in north- west London, in 1866. But now hundreds of birdwatchers have flocked to the Crossness Nature Reserve in Bexley, south-east London, after one was seen there last week. The sighting follows a £500,000 project at Crossness by Thames Water, Bexley Council and the charity Groundwork. Work has involved restoring reed bed and ditch habitat for water voles and creating a new wader scrape - a shallow body of water with muddy margins - which has attracted the heron. The site has also been opened up to the public with a wildlife viewing screen enabling ornithologists to get close to the bird without disturbing it. It is exciting to see this new wetland area so favoured by a rare bird Thames Water's Martin Wagner The squacco heron, which is mainly found in southern Europe and winters in Africa, has a stocky body and beige plumage. There have also been confirmed sightings of a rare purple heron flying over Crossness, and the first quail to visit the Bexley Borough since 1969 has been seen on a number of occasions this week. The squacco heron has been spotted in the Southern Marshes of Crossness. Martin Wagner, from Thames Water said: " The sighting of the squacco heron is a great success for the company as well as for wildlife. " It is exciting to see this new wetland area so favoured by a rare bird. " The squacco was spotted on the afternoon of 29 May and has been seen on the marshes ever since. The Squacco Heron was last seen in Greater London in 1866 A species of bird which has not been seen in Greater London for 141 years has reappeared. A squacco heron was last spotted at the Kingsbury Reservoir, in north- west London, in 1866. But now hundreds of birdwatchers have flocked to the Crossness Nature Reserve in Bexley, south-east London, after one was seen there last week. The sighting follows a £500,000 project at Crossness by Thames Water, Bexley Council and the charity Groundwork. Work has involved restoring reed bed and ditch habitat for water voles and creating a new wader scrape - a shallow body of water with muddy margins - which has attracted the heron. The site has also been opened up to the public with a wildlife viewing screen enabling ornithologists to get close to the bird without disturbing it. It is exciting to see this new wetland area so favoured by a rare bird Thames Water's Martin Wagner The squacco heron, which is mainly found in southern Europe and winters in Africa, has a stocky body and beige plumage. There have also been confirmed sightings of a rare purple heron flying over Crossness, and the first quail to visit the Bexley Borough since 1969 has been seen on a number of occasions this week. The squacco heron has been spotted in the Southern Marshes of Crossness. Martin Wagner, from Thames Water said: " The sighting of the squacco heron is a great success for the company as well as for wildlife. " It is exciting to see this new wetland area so favoured by a rare bird. " The squacco was spotted on the afternoon of 29 May and has been seen on the marshes ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.