Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
The Grey Heron is one of the most distinctive large birds found the the UK. They have long legs, a long neck and a long beak, all attached to white, grey and black feathers. According to the British Trust of Ornithology there are 11,000 breeding pairs in this country.
They are often found living near streams, rivers, canals and on flooded land. This is because their diet is mainly made up of fish, often sticklebacks, minnows or eels to give a few examples. However they have been known to eat voles, amphibians and the odd duckling. Sometimes you will find them in fields nearby a water source, this heron is probably one who fancies something different to eat than another fish supper!
Herons are astonishing predators considering their size. They can reach a height of 90-98 cms, with a wingspan of up to 195cm and with a weight between 1 and 2kg. Despite their enormous size, they are adept at standing perfectly still for a long length of time. They wait patiently for an extraordinary length of time while they wait for their prey to be close enough. Once the fish is in the optimum area for catching, herons move at a blistering speed to collect their meal.
These incredible birds nest in large nests built from sticks, high up in tall trees. These sites are called heronries. Often heronries can be used for decades. The Heronry Census has been in existence since 1928 and they have been used for monitoring population numbers consistently. They will typically lay between 3 and 4 eggs a year, usually during March. Incubation takes approximately 25 days and chicks will fledge after 7 or 8 weeks.
Next time you’re out by a water course, have a look for the gangly looking Grey Heron. They may be hard to spot if they’re stood still so look closely. Watch to see their behaviour and observe just how still they actually stand.
Fun Fact: If you had lived in Mediaeval times and attended a banquet, you might have seen Roast Heron on the menu.
