Purple herons set up home in Dungeness - for the first time
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Two purple herons will get 24-hour
protection after becoming the first of their kind to nest in the
UK.
The birds have set up home in Kent
and are ready to lay eggs and raise their young, the RSPB revealed
today.
But charity officials have warned
the pair could become a target for egg poachers - so a
round-the-clock watch has been launched.
Officers from Kent Police are now
helping protect the nest in Dungeness with the RSPB’s Species
Protection Scheme.
The RSPB also fears the bird could
lose their home because it’s on the site of Lydd Airport’s proposed
expansion.
The controversial project was
waived through by Shepway District Council - while the RSPB called
for it to thrown out.
According to experts, the striking
birds - which breed in southern Europe and visit the UK in small
numbers each year - would suffer.
RSPB conservation manager Samantha Dawes said: "The
RSPB has a century-long heritage of protecting birds in Kent.
"Our protection scheme at the site
provides immediate security for the birds.
"But the potential development of
an airport on the peninsular casts a large shadow over the future
of this magnificent site and its wildlife.
"Purple herons are high up on the
list of birds that we expect to see setting up home in southern
Britain as the changing climate pushes them further north.
"This highlights the importance of
wildlife havens like Dungeness in providing space for species
displaced by global warming."
Although purple herons have
struggled in Europe over the last few decades, experts say the
numbers of purple herons breeding in the UK are expected to
increase.
PC Michael Laidlow, Kent Police’s
Environmental Crime Coordinator, said: "We would remind any members
of the public that any attempt to intentionally damage an occupied
nest or remove eggs constitutes a criminal offence."
Samantha added: "At the moment
there is little for visitors to see as the birds are sitting tight
on the nest.
"The area is a great place to visit
and is teeming with spring wildlife - but please don’t come hoping
to see the herons as you are likely to be disappointed.
"If the eggs hatch successfully
then we hope to set up a viewing station at a safe distance away
from which the public will be able to catch a glimpse of this
historic wildlife moment."
The purple heron, closely related
to the larger and common grey heron, can reach 90cm in height with
a wingspan of up to 1.5m.
Anyone who sees any
suspicious activity at the site should call the RSPB or Kent Police
on 01622 690 690.
Tuesday, May 18 2010
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