Squacco Heron

Today at the local patch there were even greater numbers of Black-winged Stilts with numbers almost doubling to one hundred and fifty one birds. The water level at the percolation is dropping and is now suitable for Black-winged Stilt throughout the area, as their very long legs can reach the bottom now even in the deepest parts. Other waders present included a single Ruff, three Green Sandpipers, three Kentish Plover and eight Little Ringed Plover. European Turtle Doves were still evident in small numbers and a single Squacco Heron was seen in the reeds and flying about. This is the first Squacco Heron I have seen at the 'patch' since mid May. I took a couple of rather poor photographs of the bird shown here.