Purple Heron photographed at Grands Marais/Pre [PRE] on 3/8/2011 Photo: © Mike Cunningham (visit site)

An irregular overshooting spring migrant and with occasional late summer and autumn records. Noted by Smith with birds being shot in May 1845 and 1849. The species has occurred in Guernsey less than 20 times. Typically the species favours reed beds and with the increased protection of these sites in recent years one may anticipate the species becoming more frequent. The reported increase in the Dutch breeding population may account for the majority of spring records with birds being displaced westwards on their return from Africa.

Juveniles disperse in all directions after fledging and remain nomadic at least throughout August. True migration begins in this month and continues into October.

In Guernsey the species has been recorded in all months from March to October. Sites include the Reservoir, Vale Pond, Rousse and La Claire Mare. It seems probable that at least some of the records involve the same bird moving between different sites. In 1995 sporadic reports of a single bird from 5th May to the 24th August from sites including the Vale Pond, Rocque Balan and La Claire Mare may well have been of the same bird. Four together flying past Petit Bot on the 22nd September 1971 and two at the Reservoir on the 7th May 1983 are the only multiple sightings noted. Earliest and latest dates are 31st March and 14th October.