Purple Heron at Coombe Hill

29 July - After a wait of 45 mins or so, excellent views of the immature Purple Heron as it flew in to feed fairly close to the hide at Coombe Hill - a smartly-plumaged bird with traces of the adult-type striping on the snake-like neck and a purplish-brown tinge to the wings. The bird was adept at moving and hiding in cover, and moved in a Bittern-like manner. Also 4 Little Egrets and 2 Curlews present, and a Hobby flew through. Photos JM.