Night Heron

[wizzo]

I was out on Chew Valley Lake yesterday. I saw, what I assumed was a Cormirant at quite a distance across the lake. This was on the stretch of water near the 'pull in', about a mile past the entrance to the lodge (for those that know the area). The bird was only just visable with the naked eye so I had a look through my rather poor binoculars. It was still too far away for a positive ID, but straight away I thought "it's a Heron". Nothing unusual there, although still a wonderfull bird for me. However, I coiuld see that it had a very dark back (probably black) and a clean white front. it was a large bird, bigger than a cormarant, although a very similar shape, head wise. It appeared to be standing in the lake, rather than on a tree etc. It was only when I refered to my bird guide at home that I saw the Night Heron. How likely is it that this was in fact one of those birds? I understand that it would have been an unusual spot? Wizzo

[The Woodman]

A nice spot wizzo. I'm not a birder but saw one a couple of years ago at Slimbridge which isn't too far away as the heron flies.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Very unlikely (but not impossible). For starters they are smaller than cormorants, and are mainly nocturnal and seldom seen right out in the open preferring to hunt hidden along the edge of vegetation in water bodies. They do have a dark back but their front is grey not white. Assuming it was an adult then I would be surprised if you didn't notice the black cap they have.

Cheers,

Adam

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by wizzo

. it was a large bird, bigger than a cormarant, although a very similar shape, head wise.

I'd say it was unlikely wizzo, given it was larger than a Cormorant (or even the same size). Night Herons are actually quite small (much smaller than Cormorants and much smaller than Grey Heron when perched). They are also fairly rare, so you'd have to rule out the more usual possibilities first. It was more likely to be a 1cy Cormorant (see 'Iris' link below) or even a Grey Heron looking rather dark in poor light/at a distance



Cormorants:

Iris

Ps. Further to Adam's post, Night Heron do hunt frequently through the day and are often seen perched in the open. They do have white chests too! See my photo above - plenty more where that came from too!

[solus]

Another point - most (wild vagrant) Night Herons that turn up in the UK are immatures which makes them brown all over and very hard to see when they're roosting in the vegetation. (I remember one many years ago on the Isles of Scilly - finding it amongst the autumnal sycamores was akin to "seeing" one of those funny pictures where you have to stare at the fuzzy patterns... ) Most (but not all) adults have been escapees from captivity and even so are very few and far between!

[wizzo]

Thanks everyone. I'm going there again tomorrow to see if the bird is still hanging around. I should have added that although it was a long way from my position, the bird was indeed not too far off of the far bank, amongst the reedbeds. I was not able to drive around to the other side as you need either a permit for fishing or birdwatching. I can't be 100%, but I'd almost certainly dismiss a Cormorant if only because they are so numourous around the lake. I just wish I'd had a scope with me. I'm just wondering if it could have been an unusually light fronted, juvenile, Grey Heron. Sorry to be so vague

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by solus

Another point - most (wild vagrant) Night Herons that turn up in the UK are immatures which makes them brown all over and very hard to see when they're roosting in the vegetation. (I remember one many years ago on the Isles of Scilly - finding it amongst the autumnal sycamores was akin to "seeing" one of those funny pictures where you have to stare at the fuzzy patterns... ) Most (but not all) adults have been escapees from captivity and even so are very few and far between!

A fair number of adults do turn up too. I rememebr seeing 2, which were considered wild birds, at the ARC Pits, Dungeness a few years back.

[wizzo]

Whoops from a very red faced birder here! I revisited Chew Vally lake today, and guess what....? The - ah - hmm Night Heron was still there, albeit much closer to the bank that I was on, this time. Yes it was indeed a Cormarant, light grey breast and all! Ah well, back to the drawing board. I mentioned the story in the local optics shop and he said that recently, he and one of the rangers had spotted a Purple Heron over the course of a morning. On closer inspection, it turned out to be a Grey Heron after it had taken a mud bath. It was a misty morning as well!

It made me fell a little better anywy Wizzo

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by wizzo

Whoops from a very red faced birder here! I revisited Chew Vally lake today, and guess what....? The - ah - hmm Night Heron was still there, albeit much closer to the bank that I was on, this time. Yes it was indeed a Cormarant, light grey breast and all!

Wizzo

Hey, don't be too 'red faced' Wizzo - It's not uncommon for people to identify young Cormorants as something else. Many birders are used to them being completely black! Live and learn, move on and upwards