The RSPB tell me that the first nesting pair of purple herons have been spotted in Britain. Coincidentally the site is at Dungeness in Kent where the society and other parties are battling against an airport development at nearby Lydd. The striking birds mainly breed in southern Europe and visit the UK in small numbers. But the nesting pair is set to be the first to lay eggs and raise young in the UK. The RSPB has set up round-the-clock protection.  If the eggs hatch successfully then it is hoped to set up a viewing station. The purple heron, closely related to the larger and widespread grey heron, can reach 90cm in height with a wingspan of up to a metre and a half. Meanwhile the RSPB is calling on the government to call in the planning applications for proposed expansion at Lydd Airport.  The local authority, Shepway District Council, controversially consented the applications in the face of a recommendation to refuse given on environmental grounds by the council’s own planning officials.  So far over 10,000 representations have been made to the Government Office of the South East to ensure this decision is scrutinised in a full public inquiry.