Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Twice this afternoon, in the space of twenty minutes, a heron has flown down to land on the fence surrounding the pond. There are a couple of small fish in the pond, survivors, who knows how, of the big deportation of a few years ago. We suspect they proved to be tasty morsels for visiting herons, though some may have fallen prey to our local crows.
Herons eat a varied diet, including fish, rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and birds as large as wood pigeons. They have been observed using their yellow dagger-like beaks to stab large rats before drowning them and then swallowing them.
We have seen a couple of rats on the patio recently, so wonder if they are the current attraction for our visiting heron. Normally, rodents are dispatched by one or other of the cats, but it has been wet and chilly lately, so the cats have foresworn the great outdoors for the comfort of a cosy fire, human lap, or large dog.
Herons are such alert and wary birds that it is difficult to photograph them. The slightest movement causes them to take flight on their enormous wings to escape danger. Until I saw a dead heron stretched out on the grass at a friend’s house, I had not fully appreciated the sheer size of them – the largest are a metre tall, with a wingspan of almost two metres.
Such a beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteI think so, too.
DeleteThere used to be a Great Blue around here that pretty well ignored humans.
ReplyDeleteIncredible!
DeleteBeautiful photograph and beautiful bird. I’ve always been fond of them. And what a sanctuary your yard must be with a pond and to have them as visitors! (And, really? Your kitties go outdoors??)
ReplyDeleteOur cats do go outdoors. The garden has been made escape-proof, but we don't put up bird feeders any longer - that seemed too callous!
DeleteI saw one in a zoo last year. Friends had a rather nice outdoor pond, ideal for herons to feed themselves. The ended up covering it with a frame of chicken wire that could be lifted off if they had visitors.
ReplyDeleteWe probably should have covered ours, but there were enough hiding places, we thought.
DeleteI was always shorter than women of my age, and admired taller people. But that must be true of other animals and birds as well. Look at the grey heron's elegant height.
ReplyDeleteIt is an elegant bird, though less so when it draws in its head.
DeleteHave you ever heard one? We had two in the swamp last summer, and what a strange noise they make. In all my 68 years, I don't believe I heard that sound.
ReplyDeleteIt's a harsh call - not at all musical!
DeleteI am grateful that they are still around in numbers. When ever a heron is mentioned it always brings back the memory of my young son, "mum, there's a pigeon in the pond". Yes indeed clearing out the remaining goldfish or dining on the frogs and their spawn.
ReplyDeleteSome pigeon . . .
DeleteHerons are a common sight in my area, often I see several of them standing dotted around a large field, waiting for an unsuspecting mouse to come out and end up as part of their evening meal. Their flight is majestic to observe.
ReplyDeleteIt amuses me to see them in a field, far from water. There is a heronry a mile or so away from our house. It's very busy in the spring.
DeleteI didn't realise they were so big either or ate such a variety. That's a great photo through glass
ReplyDeleteThank you.I was so pleased to get that photograph.
DeleteIt is striking to watch such a majestic and cautious bird so close, especially knowing the formidable hunting skills and impressive size herons possess.
ReplyDeleteIt's a thrill to have wild life approach so closely.
DeleteThey are quite fascinating. I've only ever seen one but it was impressive
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to have a heronry very close. It's interesting to see them in the trees.
DeleteI've seen a heron around here a few times, but not recently. I worry when I see one, along with the falcons we see sometimes, as local businesses put poison down for rats and I think that it gets to them.
ReplyDeleteSeeing them in flight, I feel that they look almost prehistoric, with their long beak and arched wings.
Prehistoric is the right description. With their heads pulled back as they fly, they give a false impression of their length.
DeleteThe sister species here is Great Blue Heron, very similar in size and appearance and equally omnivorous and opportunistic. Mainly, I have seen them take fish and amphibians, but on a couple of occasions I have seen them capture a snake, and once a chipmunk.
ReplyDeleteSpring must be quite a favourable time for them, with young unwary animals. It's not just pike that take ducklings and goslings.
DeleteThey're beautiful birds but pests where ponds are concerned, I hope the fish survive.
ReplyDeleteIf we were to collect valuable koi, I would worry and take measures to deter herons. As it is, we only have an occasional visiting heron, and there are hiding places in our pond. Once the fish reach a large size, it's not so easy for them to hide, of course.
Deletethey are big and beautiful, and we enjoy watching them hunt, but not the act they eat our lizards. I have even seen one with a snake
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing - they all have to survive, one way or another.
ReplyDeleteHerons are so majestic. We have 3 different ones in North America. Little Blue, Blue (larger) and TriColor. I am fortunate to bike by a very large Blue heron rookery. If you are unaware of their presence they can scare the socks off when they screech!
ReplyDeleteThey are startling birds, even in flight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent shot! It is fascinating to read about the varied diet of the Herons.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I was very pleased to be able to take that photograph. Herons are such nervous birds - they start at the slightest movement, in a domestic garden, anyway.
DeleteHerons are magnificent. We have some Blue Herons in the area. Beautiful in flight.
ReplyDeleteI'm always pleased to see a heron in the garden.
DeleteHerons are such graceful birds.
ReplyDeleteThey are.
DeleteI like watching herons stand still and instantly use the beak to catch prey.
ReplyDeleteThey have such patience and stand like statues.
DeleteThey're very elegant birds, I like them but not when they steal the fish! Many years ago we had a garden pond which was well netted!
ReplyDeleteWe've never netted our pond, but it is surrounded by trees and shrubs - exactly the things you shouldn't have by ponds.
DeleteI was once walking along the coast of Northern California and when I reached the top of a hill I was about five feet from a Great Blue Heron; I was more startled than he or she. But then s/he saw me and simply lifted from the ground and flew off. Such a graceful bird.
ReplyDeleteThey take off so effortlessly.
DeleteI didn't know they ate so many differents things. I wouldn't be around for a "rat stabbing" though. Don't see many in my part of Kansas. Linda
ReplyDeleteRats are never very far from humans!
DeleteWe have the Great Blue Heron here which is a very large bird that stands about four-and-a-half feet tall and has a wingspread of six feet. They are extremely impressive both standing and in flight. To see one in flight can remind one of the movie "Jurassic Park." They would have fit well in the Jurassic age.
ReplyDeleteTheir serpentine necks are fascinating and slightly repulsive.
DeleteI read your blog post to my husband,, who is a birder. He had never heard of these herons which probably is not surprising, as they aren't native to the North American continent. It's fascinating (and a little gruesome) but I hope they get rid of your rats.
ReplyDeleteWe don't see many rats. It's the young and inexperienced that come out in daylight, and the old and desperate.
DeleteBeautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteWe have Herons here too in the Pacific Northwest of the US They are wonderful birds. This is a lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was a lucky shot.
DeleteA beautiful bird... and that is a very nice photograph.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan.
DeleteWe have Blue Herons where I walk and in the area. They are really fun to watch. It's amazing when they catch a really huge fish and manage to duck it and then swallow the thing whole! I've watched one and marvelled at how it managed to swallow something so big.
ReplyDeleteThey are also really cool to watch when they are nesting as they nest up in trees. There is a rookery in a nature place near me that I'm excited to be able to watch this year.
They're such big birds to nest in trees. They amuse me as much as ducks in trees.
ReplyDelete