Time for Another Lifer - Purple Heron at Leighton Moss

I've not really done much birding recently so the appearance of another lifer for me in the form of a  juvenile Purple Heron at Leighton Moss RSPB was very appealing. Although Leighton Moss is over an hour's drive for me, the bird had been seen regularly for the last few days and after the first few distant photos I'd seen,  it seemed to be getting nearer. And anyway, Leighton Moss is a really nice place to go whatever you see there.

I latched on to the bird almost as soon as I entered Grizedale Hide at the south-west end of the reserve, well that was after first discounting a silvery white Heron-like stick which was emerging from the water!

Here's some video to finish off with: