As Bermuda celebrates its 400th anniversary, a bird that is endemic to the Island was filmed leaving its nest a move captured, apparently, for the first time.

Australian photographer and entrepreneur Reg (RG) Grundy, his wife Joy Chambers and their employees shot footage and photos of a longtail chick as it left its nest this summer.

Andrew Dobson of the Bermuda Audubon Society believes it is a rare event.

He is now working with ornithologist David Wingate and Mr. Grundy's curator former zoologist Chinni Mahadevan on a book about longtails featuring the chick, which has been dubbed 'Longford the Longtail'.

After Dr. Grundy's maintenance man spotted the chick sometime around June 1, he and Mr. Mahadevan began making daily trips to take photos of it.

On August 1 they noticed that he was emerging earlier than his usual 7 a.m.

The chick first took flight on August 4.

Its dedicated observers were there with cameras in hand to witness the bird fly out of its nest for the first time.

The first attempt saw it land on the water. After further attempts, he flew off into the afternoon sky.

"I would say that it is a very rare thing if not unique to have the moment [on film] from coming out to taking off from the water," said Dr. Wingate.

Mr. Mahadevan said: "We are hoping that Longford keeps up the tradition of philopatry and returns."