Excitement as rare squacco heron spotted in river

A bird rarely seen in the UK has caused some excitement among birdwatchers after it was spotted in a Lincolnshire river.

The squacco heron is commonly seen across southern Europe, parts of the Mediterranean and North Africa but was found in a river channel near Crowland on Sunday.

According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the RSPB, just two to five sightings of the bird are recorded in Britain annually. The last recorded sighting in Lincolnshire was on 5 July 2019 at Frampton Marsh.

Experts said environmental factors and climate change are playing an increasing role in their appearances, with milder winters making it easier for species to survive further north.

Luke Phillips, from the RSPB, said: "They are a really rare bird in the UK. We tend to get a handful turn up each year.

"One of the fun things about them is that they can turn up anywhere."

The squacco heron is smaller than the more familiar grey heron with a distinctive, compact appearance.

It has a pale, buff-coloured plumage and bright white wings, with a long beak used for catching fish in shallow water.

"They're quite a stunning looking bird," said Nick Moran, of the BTO.

"They do give you quite a buzz. If you're out birding on a regular basis and you find something unusual, it does give you an adrenaline rush because you're not expecting it in that location at that time of year."

Experts said recent warm weather systems moving north from Africa may have encouraged the bird to travel further than usual. At the same time, changing conditions including drought and habitat loss in southern Europe could push birds to explore new areas, they added.

"Milder winters means that their food remains available year round so they can survive further north. They're simply taking advantage really of that opportunity," said Moran.

Phillips said this particular squacco heron was first seen around 31 May and had been moving around wetland areas near Crowland.

The last confirmed sighting was on 7 June, though it may still be in the area, he said.

While squacco herons are considered a rare visitor, there are signs they may become more frequent in the UK over time.

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