Purple herons breed in the UK

**whitestarling** Sun Jun 27, 2010 12:04 am

Purple herons breed for the first time in the UK
25/06/2010 11:12:49
Purple herons have successfully hatched chicks
Purple herons breeding on RSPB Dungeness reserve
June 2010. The first purple herons ever to breed successfully in the UK have hatched their chicks on the RSPB's Dungeness Nature Reserve in Kent. It is not yet known how many chicks have hatched and confirmation will only be possible when the young fledge in a few weeks time.

Lydd Airport to expand
However news of the chicks' arrival comes just a day after the Government announced it was calling in the decision to allow Lydd Airport to expand its operations on the edge of the reserve.

Lydd Airport's plans would see an extension of the runway and a huge increase in passenger numbers with the arrival of Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. The RSPB fears disturbance to birds and the effect of increased pollution on the site's unique mix of specialist lichens, plants and insects. Shepway District Council controversially agreed the application against the recommendation of their own planning officials. It will now be looked at again at a Public Inquiry.

WS

**littlewid** Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:28 am

Thats exciting news WS, what a shame that they wont be seen until fledging though, lets hope however many there are they all stay safe and do well.
It doesnt sound good news about the expantion of the airport though does it, that could possibly really upset the beauty of the flora and forna at the reserve. I wonder why Shepway District Council contraversially agreed to planning permission against their own planning officials, I wonder if there was an agenda behind that one.
Does anyone live near Lydd to either go to the meeting or get the local paper, it would be interesting to follow, if not some local newspapers are on the net and we could try following it that way, just a thought.

littlewid-x-