Purple Heron, Black Stork and White Stork, July 2025

Purple Heron

A juvenile bird was reported on the River Cam near Kingfisher Bridge NR.  This species is slightly smaller and slenderer than the grey heron, they have chestnut-brown plumage with dark streaks and a long, sinuous neck. These secretive birds prefer reedbeds and wetlands and are more often heard than seen. While traditionally passage migrants or occasional breeders, recent conservation efforts have seen small numbers attempting to nest in southern England.

I had no expectations of actually finding the bird, especially as I seemed to be the only one looking. Amazingly I spotted the bird on the opposite bank after a short walk and the timing was perfect, as a passing boat flushed 60 seconds later.   The bird was lost to view but reported the following day in the Mere at Kingsfisher Bridge NR. 

Black Stork

A juvenile bird was reported repeatedly for about a week at Boyton Marsh, Suffolk. This species is typically found in continental Europe and Asia, nesting in remote forests near wetlands. In the UK, black storks are occasional migrants, usually seen during spring and summer, often in southern England.

This bird was easy to spot (after a ~1 mile walk) due to the crowd of admiring birders.  I have to say that it was a very brown bird, rather than black!

White Stork

Although considered a native UK bird, the White Stork last bred here in ~1416.  The White Stork Project, launched in 2016, brought injured non‑flying storks from Poland to Knepp Estate (West Sussex) and Wadhurst Park (East Sussex). These birds formed a silent nucleus to attract free‑flying storks. 

The first wild nests happened in 2020, with two pairs breeding and four chicks fledging.  In 2024, a record-breaking 53 chicks fledged at Knepp, and another 4 at Wadhurst. We could be looking at the early stages of a self-sustaining population. 

This is the 'Welney' bird, but is probably the same individual that has been seen on the Fens for most of the spring and summer. It appears to have been ringed in Poland (OV237).