News

Unusual herons visit the valley

16 May 2023

The photograph shows a Squacco Heron which has been seen in the valley in the last few days. This heron is rarely seen in England as its normal range only extends as far north as its breeding grounds in southern Europe. It is much smaller than our resident Grey Heron, being only about half the size.

Interestingly, another unusual heron, the Black-crowned Night Heron has also been seen in the valley recently. About the size of a Little Egret but with much shorter legs and neck, it has a much stockier appearance than the Grey Heron. It usually breeds in south-east Europe or Asia as well as North America, so like the Squacco Heron is a rare visitor to these shores. As its name suggests it mainly hunts at night and roosts during the day.

These herons are just the latest of a number of unusual birds which visit the valley from time to time, emphasising the importance of the habitats, such as flood meadows and reedbeds, which are in decline nationally but are so necessary for a wide range of wildlife.

Footpaths - 12 March

Most paths are walkable now the water level has dropped. However, many are still very muddy and a few are only really walkable in wellies.

Report overgrown rights of way to East Sussex and other paths to the Friends of Combe Valley.

Latest News

Squacco Heron

Two rare herons have been found in the valley recently. The Squacco Heron and the Black-crowned Night Heron visiting us are well out of their usual summer haunts.

New on this website

April 2022 - A new section, "Nature's Calendar", has been added giving details of what to look out for around the Countryside Park at different times of the year.