Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers

The Guardian World Saturday 13 June 2026, 07:00 UTC By Matthew Pearce 1 min read

Key Points

Appearance of a western reef heron in north Wales is unlikely to be the last, as heating temperatures mean species can survive Britain’s winter, say expertsIt is a tropical bird typically encountered between west Africa and India, but last week a western reef heron arrived in north Wales in what is believed to be the first ever sighting in the UK.The heron was first spotted in Foryd Bay at the weekend before flying to nearby Caernarfon harbour where it fed among the boats.

Appearance of a western reef heron in north Wales is unlikely to be the last, as heating temperatures mean species can survive Britain’s winter, say experts

It is a tropical bird typically encountered between west Africa and India, but last week a western reef heron arrived in north Wales in what is believed to be the first ever sighting in the UK.

The heron was first spotted in Foryd Bay at the weekend before flying to nearby Caernarfon harbour where it fed among the boats.

UK (LOCATION) north Wales (LOCATION) Britain (LOCATION) west Africa (LOCATION) India (LOCATION) the UK.The heron (EVENT) Foryd Bay (LOCATION) Caernarfon (LOCATION) fed (ORG)

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Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers

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