Grey Heron

Photo courtesy of P Fitzpatrick.

Grey herons are unmistakeable: tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest. They can be seen around any kind of water – garden ponds, lakes, rivers and even on estuaries. Sometimes, grey herons circle high up into the sky and can be mistaken for large birds of prey. They can be seen at any time of year – our grey herons do not migrate. They eat lots of fish, but also small birds such as ducklings, small mammals like voles, and amphibians. After harvesting, grey herons can sometimes be seen in fields looking for rodents.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Fish, frogs, insects and occasionally small birds.

Canada Goose   Coot   Grey Heron   Black headed gull   Kingfisher  Mallard   Moorhen   Mute Swan   Reed Bunting