The purple heron (Ardea purpurea) has recently begun breeding in England, representing a natural range expansion from continental Europe. Individual welfare is significant for this rare colonist.
With such a tiny breeding population, disturbance at known nesting sites is a severe welfare risk. Purple herons are secretive and abandon nests more readily than grey herons when approached. Reedbed management timing must avoid the breeding season (May-July). Their specialised reedbed habitat requirement means very few suitable sites exist in the UK. Reedbed creation and management programs at sites where purple herons have shown interest directly supports welfare and potential population establishment.