Black-crowned Night Heron (3/3)
Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758) (160, 14)
Photo © By Bernard DUPONT - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80410668
Ex BBRC species 31/12/2001
NOT PROVEN
0). c. 1804 Somerset No locality, juvenile, undated.
(Dance 2003; Ballance, 2006).
[KAN]
History Ballance (2006: 127) says: 'Was in Montagu's collection (Dance 2003).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not published by Montagu! No supporting details of location and trail of evidence. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1824 Dorset No locality, immature, shot, undated.
(Latham, 1821-28).
[KAN].
History Latham (1824 (9): 66-67) under 'Gardenian Night Heron', says: 'In the collection of Colonel Montagu was a bird, with so many characters of the above, as to incline one to think it the same: the length twenty-three inches. Bill two inches and a half; crown of the head chocolate brown, shaded to a dull yellow at the nape, where the feathers are much elongated; chin and throat nearly white; on each side, behind the ears, a black mark; the feathers on the neck long, with fibrous webs like the Common Bittern; those in front pale yellow, with broad streaks of chestnut, usually one web of each colour; the feathers of the breast long, and chocolate brown, glossed with purple, and margined with yellow; belly and sides the same, but less bright, the brown marks becoming speckled; vent yellowish white; back and scapulars chocolate brown, with paler margins, minutely speckled, and glossed with purple; wing coverts dull yellow; quills and greater wing coverts dusky lead-colour, slightly tipped with brown; tertials and tail like the back; toes long, the middle claw slightly serrated. This was killed in Dorsetshire.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Misrecorded. Is this the record of an American Bittern in 1804?
0). 1824 Norfolk North Denes, three, killed, winter.
(Lubbock, 1845; Stevenson, 1870; Babington, 1884-86; Allard, 1990).
[KAN].
History Lubbock (1845) says: 'Has been procured several times in Norfolk. Mr. Gurney is now in possession of the specimen killed near Yarmouth, which was supposed to be the Cayenne Night Heron. He has no doubt it belongs to the common species.'
Stevenson (1870 (2): 175) says: 'We have next the evidence of Messrs. Paget, in 1834, that Mr. Youell had known six or seven of them to have been killed in that locality, at different times, and in Mr. Hunt's List (1829), one is said to have been killed at Docking, and another at Holkham; the latter, according to Messrs. Sheppard and Whitear, in 1819....In the same winter of 1824, according to some notes recently supplied me from Mr. Rising, of Horsey, no less than three specimens of this heron were killed on the North Denes, at Yarmouth.'
Babington (1884-86: 160) says: 'Another, was killed in a garden at Yarmouth, bought at Doubleday's Sale (date lost), is in Mr. J. H. Gurney's Collection (J. H. Gurney jun. in litt., Hunt in Stacey's Hist. of Norfolk lxvi., and Lombe's MS. notes in Bewick).'
Comment Youell's bare statement of 6/7 around Yarmouth is worthless. The record of one at Yarmouth in 1800 is regarded as their first record; next is one at Holkham prior to 1819, followed by another at Yarmouth, 1824, with the last at Horsey in 1827. The remaining undated record for Docking prior to 1829 is found unacceptable. Rising's notes about three killed in winter is without any supporting details and found unacceptable. Babington's statement could refer to any of these previous records and just muddies the waters even further.
0). Pre 1829 Norfolk Docking, killed, undated.
(Hunt, 1829; Stevenson, 1870).
[Stevenson, 1870].
History Stevenson (1870 (2): 175) says: 'In Mr. Hunt's List (1829), one is said to have been killed at Docking.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Third-hand report with Stevenson saying "said to have been killed" not inspiring confidence. Not acceptable.
0). 1834 Somerset Clapton, heard only, 14th June.
("O." Loudon's Annals of Natural History 8: 509-510).
[Ballance, 2006].
History "O." of Clapton (1835) in Loudon's Annals of Natural History, Vol. VIII. pp. 509-510, dated February 1835, under 'Night Heron', says: 'H. T. Clarke has noted, in VI. 94., his hearing one night at Clapton the note of a bird which he has queried may be of this species. [He has also noted, in VI, 93, and very pleasingly, his hearing frequently in Suffolk, at night, the note of the same species of bird, be the species what it may.] After the severe thunder storm which fell at Clapton on the evening of June 14. 1834, I was walking in the garden, about 10 o'clock; and I distinctly heard the single and often-repeated note of this heron: it sounds like the word "qua, qua, qua", as, I think, Selby remarks. As the bird flies slowly, the note may, on a still evening, be heard for a long time. Hail, of a remarkably large size, accompanied this storm, and much mischief was done in this neighbourhood, in the gardens, to the hand-lights and green-houses.'
Not accepted locally (Ballance 2006).
0). 1837 Herefordshire Backney Marsh, Ross-on-Wye, undated, now at Hereford Museum.
(Bull, 1888; Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).
[M. Colquhoun, Herefordshire Ornithological Club Report 2016: 16].
History Bull (1888: 147) says: 'The specimen in Hereford Museum, was formerly in the collection of the late Mr. Moss, of Ross, and is labelled 'Backney Marsh', a marsh situated about two miles from Ross, but nothing further is known about it.'
Gilbert & Walker (1954: 36) quoting from Bull (1888) say: 'The specimen in Hereford Museum...is labelled 'Backney Marsh, a marsh situated about two miles from Ross...' (A list compiled by W. Blake, of Ross, mentions "Backney Marsh bird, 1837".).'
M. Colquhoun (2016) in the Herefordshire Ornithological Club Report, p. 16, states that the first valid record was from Wilton Bridge in Ross-on-Wye in 1912.
0). Pre 1843 Greater London Brent Reservoir, Middlesex, undated.
(F. Bond, Zoologist 1843: 102-103; Harting, 1866; Self, 2014).
[KAN].
History Frederick Bond (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 102, under 'Notes on Water birds occurring at Kingsbury Reservoir', says: 'I have sent a rough list of water-birds, including the waders, obtained or seen near Kingsbury Reservoir, a large sheet of water...which has been made about eight years. Specimens of those marked thus * are in my collection; and I have not put one in the list that I am not sure of its having occurred. Night Heron.'
Harting (1866) says: 'In a list of water birds occurring at Kingsbury Reservoir, which was published in The Zoologist for 1843, the Night Heron is included.' Accepted locally (Self 2014).
Comment Third hand report. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1845 Hampshire Fawley, two, obtained, undated, now at Winchester College.
(Clark, 2022).
[Clark, 2022].
History Clark (2022) states that two specimens on display at Winchester College were labelled Fawley 1845, as were two Little Bitterns and two Squacco Herons with the same details, all of which is very suspicious. They were not mentioned by Kelsall & Munn (1905) or in the catalogue of the collection (Fearon 1900).
0). Pre 1849 Wiltshire Downton, killed, undated.
(Peirson, 1959; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).
[Peirson, 1959; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007].
History Peirson (1959: 10) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'One supposed to have been killed near Downton in Wiltshire was in the Rawlence collection.'
Wiltshire Ornithological Society (2007: 249) state that 'one taken reputedly near Downton was in the Rawlence collection.' Not in the earliest avifauna (Smith 1887).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1849 Oxfordshire Near Oxford, three, obtained, undated.
(O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1903: 449).
[Brucker, Gosler & Heryet, 1992].
History O. V. Aplin of Bloxham (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 449, from C. A. Stubbs notes, says: 'In 1849 as many as three were obtained in the neighbourhood of Oxford.'
Not accepted locally (Brucker, Gosler & Heryet 1992).
Comment Perhaps a general statement referring to three previous records. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1852 or 1882 Kent Minster, obtained, undated.
(Dowker, 1889).
[Ticehurst, 1909].
History Ticehurst (1909: 313) says: 'Dowker records another from Kent, but his details are so confused that it is impossible to be sure when and where it was obtained. His authority for the record is apparently Gordon, but he gave the place and date as "Minster 1882" on one page and "Minster in 1852" on another, but in neither case does he indicate whether this Minster is in Thanet or Sheppey.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1858 Warwickshire Coombe Abbey, shot, undated.
(Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1858: 290).
[Harrison & Harrison, 2005].
History Anon. (1858) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, pt. xxvi. p. 290, says: 'Mr. Gould also exhibited a specimen of the Night Heron, which had been shot at Combe Abbey, the seat of the Earl of Craven.'
Not accepted locally for Warwickshire (Harrison & Harrison 2005).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1860 or 1861 Yorkshire Waupley Moors, seen, autumn.
(K. McLean, Naturalist 25: 141).
[Mather, 1986].
History Kenneth McLean of Harrogate (1899) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXV. p. 141, says: 'One seen several times on some ponds and marshy ground, Waupley Moors, in the autumn of 1860 or 1861; it was shot at by Thomas Metcalf, but not obtained.' Not accepted locally (Mather 1986).
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable. Possible that this is the same record as on River Esk in 1861. Not sure how close the two places are. 20-30 miles apart.
0). 1867-75 Gloucestershire Near Colesbourne, shot, undated.
(Mellersh, 1902; Swaine, 1982).
[Swaine, 1982].
History Swaine (1982) says: 'One is reputed to have been shot near Colesbourne sometime between 1867 and 1875 (Mellersh, 1902).'
Comment Lacks a specific date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1868 Pembrokeshire Near Pembroke, male, shot, early December.
(T. Dix, Zoologist 1869: 1676; Mathew, 1894; Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994).
[Welsh Ornithological Society, per. comms.].
History T. Dix (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. pp. 1676-1677, undated, says: 'Within twenty yards of the same spot [near Pembroke mill-pond] he shot another, which he sent me on the 7th of December last; it had been killed a few days, but as the body was sent with it, I was fortunately able to determine the sex - it proved to be a male; there is a single occipital plume about three inches long, white, tipped with dark brown; the back and wings are beautifully shot with olive-green; the white spots on the back and wing-coverts are more distinct and larger than shown in Yarrell's figure.'
Accepted locally (Mathew 1894: 62; Lockley 1949: 53; Donovan & Rees 1994), however, the Welsh Ornithological Society state that the record has been discredited.
0). c. 1874 Bedfordshire No locality, two, killed, undated.
(Steele-Elliott, 1904).
[Trodd & Kramer, 1991].
History Steele-Elliott (1904 (1): 122) in the Victoria County History of Bedfordshire, says: 'Upwards of thirty years ago a case containing two of these birds was sent to Mr. A. Covington for repairs. The owner informed him the birds had been killed in the county many years previously. These were evidently the specimens in the late Mr. T. Cane's possession, of which similar particulars to the above were given.' Locally, it is unacceptable (Trodd & Kramer 1991).
0). 1876 Sussex Earnley, pair: male, shot, 28th April; female, shot, 1st May.
(W. Jeffery, Zoologist 1879: 109).
[Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963].
History William Jeffery (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 109, says: 'I had intended recording the occurrence of two Night Herons in full plumage, shot at Earnley, near Chichester - a male on 28th April, and a female on 1st May, 1876. I saw both specimens in the birdstuffers hands....I now record these four occurrences [of Little Owls] with much reserve, having lately heard that the Little Owls were obtained in the London market; rendering also the facts relating to the Night Herons doubtful, though the birdstuffer maintains that all are genuine.'
Not accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 343; des Forges & Harber 1963).
Comment Probably imported. Unknown birdstuffer adding to the secrecy. Not acceptable.
0). 1879 Greater Manchester Ashton Hall, Lancashire, immature, obtained, spring.
(Saunders, 1892; Hardy, 1941).
[Oakes, 1953].
History Howard Saunders (1892: 146, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'Mr. Chamberlain Starkie writes me that he got a young bird at Ashton Hall in the spring of 1879.' Not accepted locally for Lancashire (Oakes 1953).
Comment No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1880 East Glamorgan/Gower Oxwich, shot, 21st to 29th June.
(Anon., Reports and Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 58: 62).
[WOS, Scarce and Rare Birds in Wales 2019: 43].
History Anon. (1925) in the Reports and Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol 58. p. 62, says: 'One shot in 1880 (Birds of Glamorgan, 1900).
0). 1882 Norfolk Beeston, adult, seen, 4th June.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1882: 296; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 781; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1884: 374; Riviere, 1930).
[J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1900: 113].
History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 296, says: 'On the 4th of June, near Cromer, a bird was seen by Mr. I. W. Cremer, which I have no doubt was a Night Heron. The last shot in Norfolk was at Ranworth on July 21st, 1880, - a young bird, indeed apparently but a few months old, - and has not been recorded. The bird seen by Mr. Cremer settled on a pond about a quarter of a mile from the sea, and, though twice shot at, escaped.'
Henry Stevenson (1879-84) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 551, and also (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 374, says: 'On the 4th June, an adult Night Heron was seen by Mr. Cremer, at his pond at Beeston.'
J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 113, says: '...It is twelve years since there has been a capture of the Night Heron, the two seen at Beeston being doubtful.'
0). 1882 Kent Minster, undated.
(Dowker, 1889; Balston, Shepherd & Bartlett, 1907).
[Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953].
History Balston, Shepherd & Bartlett (1907: 312) say: 'Mr. G. Dowker records it from Minster in 1882.'
Harrison (1953) states that Ticehurst thought Dowker was very vague and confused over his records; whether this was in 1852 or 1882 and whether it was Minster in Thanet or Sheppey.
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Confusing details. Not acceptable.
0). 1883 Suffolk Exning, immature, caught alive, 10th June.
(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
[Lack, 1934].
History Babington (1884-86: 160) says: 'One immature caught at Exning alive and brought to Mr. Howlett, June 10, 1883 (Howlett viva voce).' Also examined by Babington. Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932).
Comment Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett notoriously unreliable and rejected all his records for Cambridgeshire. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1885 Greater London/Surrey Norwood, five, seen, undated.
(Aldridge, 1885; Bucknill, 1900).
[Aldridge, 1885].
History Bucknill (1900: 210) says: 'Aldridge, in his little book The Birds of the Crystal Palace District (1885), states that one evening he saw five fly over his garden at Norwood. He says, p. 92: "It is with some doubt that I include this very rare British bird as a visitor here. One evening, sitting in my garden looking out for moths…I saw five herons flying steadily over.
The slow flight, unusual number and general appearance of the birds at once attracted my attention. Their legs seemed shorter, the wings smaller, and the body thicker, and the colour (for they were flying unusually low) was much darker. I at once felt convinced that these were the Ardea nycticorax, and, as afterwards I heard of several being shot about the country, concluded they were members of the same flock".'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1885 Leicestershire & Rutland Near Clipsham, Rutland, seen, 16th and 22nd August.
(Haines, 1907).
[Haines, 1907].
History Haines (1907: 110) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'According to the late Rev. B. N. Cherry of Clipsham, a bird of the heron species was seen on August 16 and 22, 1885, perched over a pond, which from its grey and moping look was taken to be a Night Heron. The late Lord Lilford, when the evidence was put before him, seems to have agreed to this identification. It was not till two years later that Lord Lilford turned out two birds of this species from his aviaries, so the stranger could not have been one of them. The late Mr. R. Tryon expressed disbelief in this occurrence on a priory grounds, and so I have not included the bird in the numbered list.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1887 Argyll Benderloch, obtained, undated, now at Barcaldine House.
(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 118) say: 'There is also one in Barcaldine House, which was shot in the district, and another was seen on Loch Creran.'
ap Rheinallt et al. (2007: 124) says: 'The origin of the above appears to be a list of the birds of Benderloch, sent to Harvie-Brown by W. Anderson Smith on 4th May, 1887. This mentions all three records, without further detail than the specimen at Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow, having been shot at Ledaig. On 20th Jan., 1891, in another letter, Anderson Smith states "But I know of at least three Night Herons which are otherwise rare in Scotland having been shot or absolutely recognised in the district"....However, the sight record from Loch Creran appears to lack supporting evidence, and is unacceptable.'
Not accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
0). 1887 Northamptonshire Lilford Hall, two, immatures, 30th June.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1888: 86; Lilford, 1895)
[Lilford, 1895]
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1888) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XII. p. 86, says: '... On June 30th a pair were released by Lord Lilford at Lilford Hall.'
Lilford (1895 (2): 124) says: 'Encouraged by the late stay of this bird in our county, and in the hope of atoning in some measure for my offence, I turned out two young Night Herons at Lilford in the summer of 1887, but though they were seen on several occasions shortly after their liberation, I have no evidence to prove that they remained in the neighbourhood for any length of time.'
0). c. 1894 Greater Manchester Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, adult, shot, undated.
(T. A. Coward, Zoologist 1904: 314-315; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Hardy, 1941).
[Oakes, 1953].
History T. A. Coward of Bowdon, Cheshire (1904) in The Zoologist, 4h series, Vol. VIII. pp. 314-315, says: 'Mr. Davies, of Lymm, Cheshire, has in his possession an adult Night Heron (Nycticorax griseus) which was killed at Newton-le-Willows some "ten or twelve years ago". Mr. Davies, when he showed me the bird, told me that he had it in the flesh from the man who shot it, and that he set it up himself. The Night Heron is of very casual occurrence in both Lancashire and Cheshire.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Oakes (1953: 203) says: 'Cannot be accepted on the evidence provided.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1897 Sussex Pett Level, obtained, 11th May.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 343) says: 'On May 11th, 1897, another on Pett Level (G. Bristow in litt.).'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1900 Kent Brookland, adult male, 4th June.
(H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Ticehurst (1909: 313) says: 'The remaining three specimens have all passed through Mr. Bristow's hands of recent years, and to him I am indebted for being allowed to examine them. The first is a fine adult male, shot by Mr. Ransome at Brookland, in Romney Marsh, on June 4th, 1900. It was stuffed by Gasson, of Rye, and subsequently purchased from him by Mr. Bristow, who remounted it.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1904 Sussex Pevensey, immature female, shot, 24th September.
(J. B. Nichols, Zoologist 1905: 267-268; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. pp. 267-268, says: 'On Sept. 24th, 1904, an immature female Night Heron (Nyticorax griseus) was shot at Pevensey, Sussex. It was brought to Mr. Bristow, of St. Leonards-on-Sea, to be set up, and is now in my collection.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 343).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1904 Kent Newenden, immature, 28th September.
(H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Ticehurst (1909: 313) says: 'The remaining three specimens have all passed through Mr. Bristow's hands of recent years, and to him I am indebted for being allowed to examine them....The second, an immature bird of the year, was shot in the Rother marshes at Newenden, on September 28th, 1904.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1906 Berkshire Near Maidenhead, seen, undated.
(Noble, 1906).
[Noble, 1906].
History Noble (1906 (1): 155) in the Victoria County History of Berkshire, says: 'Has been seen near Maidenhead, and was recorded in The Field by Sir H. Rae Reid; but as several had been known to have escaped from confinement not far up the river, the bird referred to was probably one of these.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details of identification. Not acceptable.
0). 1906 Kent Near Lydd, immature, sex uncertain, shot, 30th October.
(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 187; Ticehurst, 1909; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Harrison, 1953).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History E. N. Bloomfield (1908) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 187, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has most kindly sent me a long list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which Mr. Butterfield has added some notes. In the neighbouring districts - Nycticorax griseus, L., Night Heron, Lydd, October 3rd, 1906.'
Ticehurst (1909: 313) says: 'The remaining three specimens have all passed through Mr. Bristow's hands of recent years, and to him I am indebted for being allowed to examine them....while the third, a male, also a bird of the year, was shot near Lydd on October 3rd, 1906.'
N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the editorship of Mr. A. F. Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years. Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903. These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of 'Additions' published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine. The most important appear to be as follows: - Night Heron (Nycticorax griseus). An immature female shot near Lydd, Kent, on October 30th, 1906 (cf. Vol. I. p. 348).'
Comment Ticehurst seems unsure of the sex of this bird. Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1909 Northumberland Holy Island, adult male, shot, 24th February.
(Halliday, 1910; Evans, 1911).
[Bolam, 1912; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 6: 133].
History Halliday (1910) says: 'The specimen captured on February 24, 1909, and brought to the writer, measured thirty-eight inches. It was a male bird in adult plumage, and weighed over six pounds. The shore gunner was secreted in a fissure of the rock facing the harbour, over which the crowds of brent geese wing their flight at eventide, and the heron was observed making for the estuaries, which are formed by the sea and mudflats, at half-flood tide, when a welldirected shot brought it down.'
Evans (1911: 142) says: 'About 1908 an adult male was taken in Holy Island, and recorded in the local newspapers.'
Bolam (1912: 328) in a footnote, says: 'A "Night Heron" referred to in the newspapers as having been shot at Holy Island, in February, 1909, was obviously not of this species, as it was stated by Mr. W. Halliday, who recorded it to have weighed over 6lbs. And measured 38 inches in length; yet it is admitted by Mr. Evans to a place in his Fauna of Tweed Area (p. 142).'
H. F. Witherby (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 133, in a review of the Birds of Northumberland and the Eastern Borders, by George Bolam, 1912, says: 'In like manner the Night Heron said to have been shot on Holy Isle in 1909 is evidently a bad record.'
Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1913 Sussex Little Common, near Bexhill, immature male, obtained, 20th March.
(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 99; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History E. N. Bloomfield (1914) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 99, says: 'Night Heron, Little Common, Bexhill, immature male, March 20th [1913].'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 344) says: '...whilst on March 20th, 1913, Little Common, near Bexhill, comes into prominence with a specimen of this species (H.E.S.N., II. p. 99).'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1913 Norfolk Holkham Lake, 16th May.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1914: 171).
[Eds., British Birds 8: 54].
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1914) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVIII. p. 171, says: 'May 16th. A Night Heron reported to be on Holkham Lake.'
In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 54, placing the record in square brackets, they say: 'One reported to be on Holkham Lake on May 16th.'
Comment Second-hand report. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1918 Sussex Pevensey, obtained, 10th May.
(Anon., Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 2; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Anon. (1919) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 2, says: 'A male, Sewer's Bridge, Pevensey Marsh, May 10th (G. Bristow).'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 344) says: 'At Sewers Bridge, Pevensey, a Night Heron lost its life on May 10th, 1918 (H.E.S.N., III. p. 2).'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1932 Dorset Organford, near Poole, heard, 15th January.
(G. E. George, Field 20th Feb., 1932: 261).
[F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 54: 207; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 187].
History G. E. George of Organford Manor, near Poole (1922) in The Field of 20th Feb., Vol. CLIX. p. 261, says: 'Some years ago three of us were out flighting for duck in the Frome Valley. A large bird - without doubt a Bittern - flew between me and the next gun; at the same moment he fired at a duck. The Bittern let go the most extraordinary cry I have ever heard from a bird in this country - more resembling the staccato bark of a large dog than anything else, and very loud. This is evidently the Bittern's cry of alarm. A week later we flushed a Bittern in daylight close by.
Recently I was awakened at 5 in the morning by a most curious cry. I got up and leaned out of the window. It was dead still, starlight with a white frost. The cry was evidently made by a bird because it receded into the distance so quickly. It was like no other bird cry I ever heard, was a little like that of a heron, but deeper, longer drawn-out, less rasping, and of far greater volume. Could this also have been a Bittern?'
F. L. Blathwayt (1933) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LIV.p. 207, in the Annual Report for 1932, placing the record in square brackets, says: 'About January 15th, Mr. G. E. George heard the cry of a bird passing over his house, at 5.0 a.m. at Organford, near Poole which did not quite fit either Common Heron or Bittern. An observer familiar with the note of the Night Heron considers Mr. George's description of the note, (see The Field of February 20th, 1932, p. 261), fits that bird, which is quite possible.'
F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 187, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', says: 'Possibly occurred near Poole, January, 1932.'
Comment Not specifically identified. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1935 Devon No locality, January.
(F. C. Butters A. B. Gay, J. H. Comyns, E. W. Hendry & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1935: 10).
History F. C. Butters A. B. Gay, J. H. Comyns, E. W. Hendry & H. G. Hurrell (1934) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. 7. p. 10, says: 'Reported by W.W.W. as passing over in the dark, Jan. 1935.'
Comment No locality stated. No identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1936 Greater London/Hertfordshire Watford, April.
(Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History & Field Club 20: 282; Sage, 1959).
[Sage, 1959; Self, 2014].
History Known escape from London Zoo. Not acceptable.
0). 1936 Devon River Yealm, immature, found dead, 30th October, N. n. hoactli.
(F. C. Butters E. W. Hendry, H. G. Hurrell & F. C. Pidcock, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1936: 11; Moore, 1969).
[Tyler, 2010].
History F. C. Butters E. W. Hendry, H. G. Hurrell & F. C. Pidcock (1936) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. 9. p. 11, says: 'Oct. 30th. An immature bird in a fresh condition was found floating in the month of the Yealm by Mr. 0. D. Hunt. Examination of this specimen and investigation of the material in the Natural History Museum shows this bird to belong to the American sub-species (Nycticorax N. Hoactli. (Gmel)) which has not previously been recognised as occurring in Britain. The distinction in the juvenile is in larger size only, but this specimen is well beyond the range of European and Asiatic form. It is interesting to notice that the weather conditions on the days prior to the bird's discovery add confirmatory evidence. In Europe, to the South and Eastward, conditions were quiet and fair; but strong westerly winds had been blowing across the N. Atlantic, following a blizzard in the Gulf of St. Lawrence area on Oct. 27th-28th. (G.M.S.).’
Moore (1969) states that following strong westerly winds in the North Atlantic on 30th October 1936, an immature in fresh condition was found floating at the mouth of the Yealm by O. D. Hunt. On examination, the bird was found to be of the American race (N. n. hoactli). This record which appeared in the Devon Report for 1936, seems to have been either rejected or overlooked by the editors of The Handbook. It is not accepted locally (Tyler 2010) in the latest Birds of Devon.
0). 1936 Sussex Alexandra Park, Hastings, adult female, 6th December; presumed same, Wilting, shot, 9th December.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 5: 191).
[N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 5: 191].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1936) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. V. p. 191, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'An adult female was seen sitting near the top of a pine tree in the Alexandra Park on December 6th and attracted a small crowd of people. When disturbed by a gardener with a ladder it flew into a neighbouring tree. Three days later it was shot at Wilting (G. Bristow). The tameness of the bird suggests that it was an "escape" from captivity, as does also the fact that the middle claw is missing from its right foot. This is a condition frequently seen in Herons that have been confined in wire-netting enclosures.
0). 1942 Devon Near Budleigh Salterton, heard only, undated.
(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendry, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird Watching Preservation Society Report 1942: 16).
[KAN].
History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendry, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell (1942) in Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. 15. p. 16, says: 'Near Budleigh Salterton. Reported as heard by Mr. W. Walmesley White.'
Comment No supporting identification details. No precise date. Not acceptable.
0). 1947 Herefordshire Kington, two, seen, 16th July.
(Gilbert & Walker, 1954).
[Gilbert & Walker, 1954].
History Gilbert & Walker (1954: 36) say: 'Two birds seen flying over Kington on 16th July, 1947, cannot be claimed as fully authenticated.'
0). 1948 Cornwall Manaccan, seen, 11th September to 10th April 1949.
(B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1949: 27; Penhallurick, 1969).
[B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1949: 27].
History B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick (1949) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XIX. p. 27, recording the record in square brackets, say: 'On March 15th and 16th, and again on April 10th, at Manaccan, this bird was observed in the very early morning fishing near a Common Heron, so that contrast in size and colour could be observed.
The Night Heron was a darker, smaller and more bulky-looking bird, with three distinct white plumes. It was first seen on September 11th, 1948. - S.J.W.'
Penhallurick (1969: 62) says: 'One at Manaccan from 11th September 1948 to 10th April 1949.'
0). 1951 Greater London Brent Reservoir, Middlesex, 25th April.
(G. E. Manser & N. J. P. Wadley, London Bird Report 16: 18).
[G. E. Manser & N. J. P. Wadley, London Bird Report 16: 18; Self, 2014].
History G. E. Manser & N. J. P. Wadley (1951) in the London Bird Report, Vol. XVI. p. 18, recording the record in square brackets, say: 'Brent Res., one, Apr. 25 (R.H.M.R.). This bird, seen in the late afternoon, was in an unusual plumage phase. From the notes received there seems little doubt of the species, with which the observer is familiar abroad, but as the bird was only seen in poor light and not in flight, square brackets are used in agreement with the observer.'
0). 1951 Kent Romney Marsh, male, 4th May.
(Harrison, 1953).
[KAN].
History Harrison (1953 (1): 103) says: 'Mr. Guy Mannering informed me (verbatim 5.vii.1951) that he watched a male Night Heron on a marsh in south-east Kent on 4th May 1951. He remarked upon its peculiarly slow and flopping flight.'
Comment Sexing this species by sight is impossible. Not acceptable.
0). 1952 Lothian Union Canal, Sighthill, found dying, about 12th January.
(D. F. Dorward, Scottish Naturalist 1957: 35).
[E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 68: 3; Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History D. F. Dorward (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIX. p. 35, states that one free flying bird from Edinburgh Zoo was found dying at Sighthill by the Union Canal about 12th January, 1952.
0). 1953 Northumberland River Coquet, near Warkworth, immature, March to September, possible escape.
(G. W. Temperley, British Birds 47: 351; G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 11: 12-13; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).
[Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History G. W. Temperley (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 351, says: 'From March 15th until the end of August, 1953, a Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), in immature plumage, frequented the banks of the River Coquet just above Warkworth, Northumberland. It was at first thought that it might have been a truly wild bird, for, by a strange coincidence, the last Night Heron recorded for Northumberland was a bird shot on the banks of the River Coquet above Warkworth in February 1913. However, it was learnt that at the Edinburgh Zoo there is a large colony of Night Herons in the gardens.
These birds live in the open and are full-winged. No record is kept of their number and they are not ringed, so if they escape they cannot be traced. They breed successfully, so there is always a number of immature birds present. The fact that the Warkworth bird remained for so long (six months) in the same place - it was never seen more than one or two hundred yards from the grounds of Coquet Lodge - and took so little notice of people passing along the river bank or boating on the water, suggested that the bird was not truly wild. The Director-Secretary of the Zoological Society of Scotland writes: "I have little doubt that the Night Heron seen on the River Coquet is one that has escaped from our collection".'
The Editors (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 353-354, say: 'During 1953 there was rather an unusual number of records of Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) in the British Isles, the details being given above. All of them were birds that remained for considerable periods and one cannot ignore the possibility that they had escaped from captivity. An isolated occurrence might be judged on its own merits, but a number of records makes it necessary to consider more closely the situation in surrounding areas.
The species now breeds and has done for several years at one colony close to Britain - in Holland (T. Lebret, Ardea, Vol. XXXV. pp. 149-156) - and therefore an increase in the number of British records might be expected. However, we understand that in Holland outside this colony the bird remains a! not very frequent vagrant and there appears to have been no increase in numbers during the summer and autumn of 1953, nor can we find evidence of more occurrences on the other North Sea and Channel coasts. In view of this, it is disquieting to learn of the situation at Edinburgh Zoo where, as described by G. W. Temperley (see p. 351), an unknown number of full-winged Night Herons breed in the open and may be seen in any part of the Zoological gardens.
They are of the American race (N. n. hoactli), having been brought over from Canada (D. G. Andrew, in litt.), but it is doubtful whether it is possible to separate this form in the field. The number of known escapes from the Zoo is very small: the first was seen on the Union Canal at Sighthill, west Edinburgh, about 2 miles from the Zoo on and about January 12th, 1952 (Edinburgh Bird Bull., Vol. II. p. 25 and D. G. Andrew), but it died soon afterwards; there was another at Tyninghame in East Lothian in May, 1954, and what seems to have been a Night Heron was reported on the Water of Leith about 3 miles from the Zoo on June 12th, 1954 (D. G. Andrew, in litt.). Yet the fact remains that it is quite impossible to say that no others have escaped.
The comparative tameness of all the 1953 birds except the Lancashire one, the open perches used and the rather diurnal habits of the Norfolk bird in particular (the Edinburgh Night Herons are active during the day) and the lack of evidence of vagrants elsewhere in north Europe in 1953 in spite of the number of British cases all make it more than usually difficult to feel justified in regarding these as genuinely wild occurrences, so we suspend judgement in the hope that more evidence will be available.'
Comment All records for 1953 except Lancashire deemed by the Editors of British Birds to be escapes.
0). 1953 Norfolk Seamere (Hingham), adult, 7th July to 18th August.
(C. Gosling, British Birds 47: 351; Seago, 1977).
[Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History C. Gosling (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 351, says: 'An adult Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) was present at Hingham Seamere, Norfolk, from July 7th to August 18th, 1953. During this time I watched it daily and it was also seen by over 70 other observers, including Mr. R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley who filmed it in colour. I noted the back as midnight blue, the head slightly darker; the chest was a rich Jersey cream and the wings slate grey; the three white plumes and the bright, ruby red eyes were very conspicuous; the legs were yellow and the feet slightly more green. This heron sat clearly visible nearly the whole day long and was not usually worried by the bright sun. On several occasions it was seen to catch small fish and frogs and twice was also observed to settle on open water for a matter of one or two minutes.'
Comment All records for 1953 except Lancashire deemed by the Editors of British Birds to be escapes. See above.
0). 1953 Kent Sheerness, immature, 16th October to 11th November.
(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1953: 9; Eds., British Birds 47: 352; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
[Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History E. H. Gillham (1953) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. II. p. 9, says: 'An immature present at Sheerness between Oct. 16 and Nov. 11. Roosted by day in low trees in suburban gardens and probably fed in the Sheerness canal and adjacent ditches which are much favoured by herons. Bird caused quite a stir locally and Lt.-Col. Shrive had good views of it on Oct. 18. On Nov. 5, H.H. had good views at 12 to 15 feet as the bird perched in a tree. After noting details he was able to check with the Handbook and then take another look at the roosting bird. Details as follows: - much smaller than "common" heron and more thick-set; upper parts dark brown with light flecks of "Nutcracker " plumage clearly visible; much lighter on breast with vertical dark flecks which were very clear on upper breast. Legs yellowish green, not so dark as in Handbook illustration. Eye large; tail short, the folded wings covered tail to give rounded shape. These details are taken from the notes by H.H. It was indifferent to human beings while at its roosts which included gardens in Sheerness High Street.
We are informed that on one occasion a police officer had to disperse a small crowd gathered to watch it. In the Essex Bird Report for 1953 there are two reports of single immature Night Herons in November.'
In an Editorial (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 352, they say: 'An immature Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) was present at Sheerness, Kent, from October 16th to November 11th, 1953; during the day it roosted in low trees in gardens, even in Sheerness High Street where it was quite indifferent to human beings and so attracted a lot of attention. It seems probable that it fed by night in the Sheerness canal and adjacent ditches which are much favoured by Herons (Ardea cinerea).
A full description, based on observations made by Lt.-Col. Shrive and Mr. H. Hodges, has appeared in The Kent Bird Report for 1953. The legs were described by the former as green, and later by the latter as yellowish-green, not so dark as in the illustration in The Handbook.'
Comment All records for 1953 except Lancashire deemed by the Editors of British Birds to be escapes. See above.
0). 1953 Essex Foulness, juvenile, late October to 7th January 1954, photo.
(G. A. Pyman, British Birds 47: 352-353, plate 59; G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1953: 8; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).
[Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History G. A. Pyman (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 352-353, says: 'Two first winter Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) were present near the Essex coast during the 1953/54 winter. One was located on Foulness Island, and roosted daily in trees and bushes by a farm pond. It was first recorded by V. G. Robson and H. R. Tutt on November 8th, 1953, but according to the villagers had arrived about a month earlier. It was seen on several further occasions up to January 7th, 1954, when the accompanying photograph was taken (plate 59).
The other bird roosted by day in a tall apple tree in a garden at Steeple Stone on the south shore of the River Blackwater. It arrived on November 21st, 1953, and its identity was confirmed, and at photograph taken, by Mrs. P. V. Upton on December 3rd.
This photograph was reproduced in The Essex Bird Report for 1953. It was seen subsequently by many observers and left finally on December 24th. During- its stay, it left for its feeding' ground on a marsh near-by at about 1630 hours G.M.T. daily and returned between 0700 and 0800 hours each morning.
These are apparently the fifth and sixth Essex records of this species. The legs of the Steeple bird were yellow throughout its stay while those of the Foulness individual were at first grey-green but had acquired a yellowish tinge by the end of the year.'
Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984; Wood 2007).
Comment All records for 1953 except Lancashire deemed by the Editors of British Birds to be escapes. See above.
0). 1953 Essex Steeple, Blackwater Estuary, juvenile, 21st November to 24th December, photo.
(G. A. Pyman, British Birds 47: 352-353; G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1953: 8: photo; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).
[Eds., British Birds 47:353-354].
History G. A. Pyman (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 352-353, says: 'Two first winter Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) were present near the Essex coast during the 1953/54 winter. One was located on Foulness Island, and roosted daily in trees and bushes by a farm pond. It was first recorded by V. G. Robson and H. R. Tutt on November 8th, 1953, but according to the villagers had arrived about a month earlier. It was seen on several further occasions up to January 7th, 1954, when the accompanying photograph was taken (plate 59).
The other bird roosted by day in a tall apple tree in a garden at Steeple Stone on the south shore of the River Blackwater. It arrived on November 21st, 1953, and its identity was confirmed, and at photograph taken, by Mrs. P. V. Upton on December 3rd.
This photograph was reproduced in The Essex Bird Report for 1953. It was seen subsequently by many observers and left finally on December 24th. During- its stay, it left for its feeding' ground on a marsh near-by at about 1630 hours G.M.T. daily and returned between 0700 and 0800 hours each morning.
These are apparently the fifth and sixth Essex records of this species. The legs of the Steeple bird were yellow throughout its stay while those of the Foulness individual were at first grey-green but had acquired a yellowish tinge by the end of the year.'
Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984; Wood 2007).
Comment All records for 1953 except Lancashire deemed by the Editors of British Birds to be escapes. See above.
0). 1954 Lothian River Tyne, Haddington, mid-April to June.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66; D. F. Dorward, Scottish Naturalist 69: 35).
[E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 68: 3; Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1954) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. IV. p. 66, say: 'An immature Night Heron appeared on the River Tyne on the stretch above the old Nungate bridge, Haddington, in mid-April. It has remained in the locality ever since. T. H. Gillespie of the Zoo has suggested that the bird had "escaped" from the Edinburgh Zoo.'
0). 1954 Wiltshire Longford, early May.
(R. G. Barnes & G. L. Peirson, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 1955: 20; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).
[Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007].
History R. G. Barnes & G. L. Peirson (1955) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. LVI. p. 20, recording the record in square brackets, say: 'Probably one of this species was seen over the Avon at Longford on May 3rd. It circled over the observer's head for some time and appeared to be small, squat heron with retracted neck and long beak. The legs stretched only a short way beyond the tail. It showed white underneath and a greenish grey back. Mrs. Ellison of Bodenham and a friend had also disturbed a very small heron the evening before on the opposite bank of the river (I.R.).'
Not accepted locally (Wiltshire Ornithological Society 2007).
0). 1954 Lothian River Almond, Cramond Brig, June.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66; D. F. Dorward, Scottish Naturalist 69: 35).
[E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 68: 3].
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1954) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. IV. p. 66, say: '...A bird of this species also appeared on the Water of Leith in Colinton Village in mid-June. It was very tame and appeared to be in poor health. An adult seen by Miss F. E. Waldron on the River Almond above Cramond Brig in the third week of June (Scotsman, 9th July 1954) was possibly the same bird. Since 1952 these birds have been given full freedom in the Zoo and odd individuals may be expected to appear elsewhere from time to time. The Zoo's birds are of the North American race Nycticorax n. hoactli.'
0). 1954 Lothian Water of Leith, Colinton, 12th June.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66; D. F. Dorward, Scottish Naturalist 69: 35).
[E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 68: 3; Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1954) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. IV. p. 66, say: '...A bird of this species also appeared on the Water of Leith in Colinton Village in mid-June. It was very tame and appeared to be in poor health. An adult seen by Miss F. E. Waldron on the River Almond above Cramond Brig in the third week of June (Scotsman, 9th July 1954) was possibly the same bird. Since 1952 these birds have been given full freedom in the Zoo and odd individuals may be expected to appear elsewhere from time to time. The Zoo's birds are of the North American race Nycticorax n. hoactli.'
0). 1954 Sussex Lancing College, immature, 12th December, possible escape.
(G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1954: 7; Shrubb, 1979).
[Eds., British Birds 47: 353-354].
History G. des Forges & D. D. Harber (1954) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 7, say: 'C. A. Grigg described being shown one in the immature brown plumage in an alder hedge on the watermeadows near Lancing College, on 12th December. It appeared disinclined to move from the hedge and on the ground appeared very tired and dejected. The possibility of its having come from Edinburgh Zoo cannot be overlooked (vide Brit. Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 353).'
Comment A very late date. Probably an escape. Not acceptable.
0). 1955 Lothian Gogar Burn, Edinburgh, April.
(D. F. Dorward, Scottish Naturalist 69: 35).
[E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 68: 3].
History D. F. Dorward (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIX. p. 35, states that free flying birds from Edinburgh Zoo regularly visited the Gogar Burn during April, 1955.
0). 1956 Gower Oxwich Marsh, 21st to 29th June.
(H. Morrey Salmon, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1955-56: 21; Grenfell & Thomas, 1982; Taylor, 2008).
[Not in Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994].
History H. Morrey Salmon (1955-56) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. LXXXV. p. 21, says: 'One was seen at Oxwich Marsh and identified satisfactorily on 21st June 1956. It was seen by the same observer again on 22nd, 23rd and 24th but could not be found on 28th (Gower Orn. Soc.). This species has only once before been recorded in the county, in 1880, but recent occurrences of Night Herons might be wandering from the feral breeding colony at Edinburgh.'
Not accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).
0). 1956 Lothian Near Water of Leith, two, 29th October.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 7: 13).
[T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66].
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1957) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VII. p. 13, say: 'In the Evening News of 3rd November it was reported that two Night Herons were seen perched in some pine trees close to the Water of Leith at Logie Green Road by Miss May Inglis on 29th October, 1956. These birds were almost certainly escapes from the Edinburgh Zoo.'
0). 1957 Lothian Lauriston Castle, immature, mid-April; presumed same, Blackhall, late April.
(A. T. Macmillan, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 7: 68).
[T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66].
History A. T. Macmillan (1957) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VII. p. 68, says: 'Recently, free-flying Night Herons from the Edinburgh Zoo have been noticed in various parts of Edinburgh. A bird described to me from Lauriston Castle pond in mid-April was clearly an immature Night Heron - perhaps the same bird noted by Mrs. Roney Dougal in her garden at Blackhall.'
0). 1957 Cumbria Ireleth-in-Furness, immature, 17th April.
(K. G. Spencer, Report on Birds, Lancashire 1957: 38; R. Stokoe, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 10: 58).
History K. G. Spencer (1957) in the Report on Birds, Lancashire, p. 38, says: 'An immature which visited a garden at Ireleth-in-Furness, 17-18 April, was exceptionally tame and almost certainly an escape, probably from Edinburgh Zoo (J.A.G.B., A.S.).'
R. Stokoe (1962) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. X. p. 58, says: 'A bird in immature plumage was seen at Ireleth (L) on 17 April 1957. It stayed there for three days, roosting in a Beech tree during the day and flying at dusk to feed at a nearby marsh (J. A. G. Barnes, A. L. Evans, A. Smith). This is the first Lakeland record since 1903.'
Comment Escape from Edinburgh Zoo.
1957 Lothian Water of Leith, immature, 16th May.
(A. T. Macmillan, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 7: 68).
[T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66].
History A. T. Macmillan (1957) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VII. p. 68, says: 'On 16th May, I watched an immature Night Heron in a willow tree by the Water of Leith between Stockbridge and Canonmills. It was unringed, but very tame. A Magpie later appeared and attacked it so that at times it almost overbalanced from its perch above the water.'
0). 1957 Lothian Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, immature, 21st May.
(G. Waterston, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 7: 68).
[T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66].
History G. Waterston (1957) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VII. p. 68, says: 'On 21st May 1957, Philip E. Brown and I watched an immature Night Heron in a tree above the pond in the Royal Botanic Gardens. I have been told that a Night Heron on the Water of Leith attacked and killed some Mallard ducklings.'
0). 1957 Lothian Gladhouse Reservoir, immature, 14th July.
(D. G. Andrew & R. W. J. Smith, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 7: 77).
[T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66].
History D. G. Andrew & R. W. J. Smith (1957) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VII. p. 77, under 'Gladhouse Reservoir', say: 'Other records of interest are: - A movement of 150 Swifts to the North into the wind in bad weather on 14th July, and an immature Night Heron (a first record) on the same day.'
0). 1957 Fife Dunfermline, immature, 16th July.
(G. Dick, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 7: 79).
[E. V. Baxter, Scottish Birds 1: 31; Smout, 1986].
History G. Dick (1957) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VII. p. 79, says: 'On 16th July 1957, I saw one being mobbed by Blackbirds, Chaffinches and tits in a beech clump at the west end of the Town Loch, Dunfermline. It was an immature bird and later made off in the direction of the Forth.'
Comment Probably an escape from Edinburgh Zoo.
0). 1957 Lothian Water of Leith, four, adults, 11th September; presumed three adults of same, 24th September.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 8: 81).
[T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66].
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1958) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VIII. p. 81, say: 'We have received some further records of Night Herons, presumably free flying birds from the Edinburgh Zoo. On 11th September 1957 at 2100 hrs. Charles P. Rawcliffe observed 4 adults feeding on the tidal mud of the Water of Leith at Bridge Street. On 24th at 2000 hrs. he noted 3 adults at the same place in Leith Docks.'
0). 1957 Lothian Near Water of Leith, immature, 2nd October.
(N. G. Campbell, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 8: 11).
[T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 4: 66].
History N. G. Campbell (1958) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. VIII. p. 11, says: 'On 2nd October 1957, I noted an immature Night Heron, presumably from the Zoo, about quarter of a mile up the Water of Leith from Canonmills Bridge near where one was seen by Andrew T. Macmillan on 16th May 1957.'
