So I was driving to Southampton from Portsmouth and about half way I saw a very large black/dark grey bird in a field which I initially thought was a cormorant but it then stood up and it was about the size of a heron if not larger and had none of the markings a heron has and had the same stretchable gullet as a cormorant whilst being twice the size. I searched and it is possible it was black heron but I’ve never seen one of those before. It was very tall with a very long neck definitely not a cormorant.
anyone got any ideas?
Cheers
FionnCassidy said:It was very tall with a very long neck definitely not a cormorant.
A giraffe?
As experienced birders say to me, start with what it's most likely to be, and then rule that out before moving on to the less likely. A grey wading bird the size of a heron, sounds like a heron to me. Also, if you were driving, how good a look to distinguish details did you get?
I must admit I was pretty scepical when I read this because the chances of it being something unusual is low. However, with birds never say never.
I had a look at the Hampshire Going Birding website and what did a I find : a Purple Heron being reported at Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve
Now admittedly, this is some way west of Southampton but could this have been what Fionn saw. The dates kind of fit. Having said that a Grey Heron was reported from Warsash Water Meadows which is about half way between Portsmouth and Southamton but I've no idea wheth it's visible form the road.
I'll add a photo of a Purple Heron taken in Lesvos many years ago so that Fionn can compare with what she saw.
Having said all that a juvenile Grey Heron is more likely but you never know...............
Unknown said:Won't be long before Bee-eaters will be visiting UK gardens
Unless the bee's all die out because of destruction of habitat. And on that cheery note....