A black-crowned night heron, a species rarely observed in the UK, has been sighted in Somerset, conservationists have confirmed.
Though widespread across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, this adaptable bird remains a scarce visitor to British shores.
Its first confirmed breeding in the UK was recorded in Somerset in 2017 before the elusive bird was captured on camera at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate.
This stocky member of the heron family typically reaches up to 66cm, approximately half the size of the more common grey heron.
Recognisable by its grey plumage, yellow legs, and a distinctive black “cap” from which long white “plume” feathers trail, the night heron’s nocturnal habits make it particularly challenging for observers to spot.
Ben Eardley, restore nature project manager for Somerset Coast and Countryside, said: “It’s rare to see this wetland species in the UK and so exciting that we have observed one on our estate cameras on three consecutive days.
“The UK has lost over 97 per cent of its wetlands through drainage and changes in land management.
“Renewing existing wetlands and identifying opportunities to create new areas will help wildlife thrive, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and create more resilient landscapes for future generations.
“At Holnicote we are developing a rich mosaic of freshwater habitat, including beaver wetlands, which provide an ideal refuge for not only species like the black-crowned night heron, but also wildlife including water voles, otters, pine martens, fish species and even white-tailed eagles.”
Jack Siviter, a beaver and wetlands project officer at the Holnicote Estate, said: “We are continuing to focus on wetland creation through our project work, as well as letting beavers modify and produce these habitats at scale.
“If we can do this successfully, we are likely to see more wetland specialists arrive at Holnicote, and who knows – night herons might continue to appear.”
The wetland charity WWT lists the night heron as one of the birds that it predicts may become an established breeder in the UK, as ranges expand due to climate change.
The footage is one of several surprising moments captured on the National Trust’s wildlife cameras in recent months.
Five livestreaming cameras have given viewers insights into the lives and behaviours of barn owls, guillemots, puffins, beavers, pied flycatchers and blue tits across National Trust sites.
In October, to viewers’ delight, cameras captured a beaver sneezing, attracting more than two million views.
