Occasionally, grey herons (Ardea cinerea) visit the Priory – but they are shy and hoist themselves into the air when I amble into view. I haven’t been able to photograph them.
Ardea cinerea
But a couple of weeks ago, I spotted a juvenile standing on top of the old duck box
on the east pond’s small island. Grabbing my camera, I crept up behind a leafy alder, crouched down (on creaking knees) and stole a few shots
before my twig-quivering
finally alerted the heron to my presence.
Surprisingly quietly for a bird with a six-foot wingspan, it took off and flapped slowly and pterodactyl-like away (as if I have any idea whatsoever what a pterodactyl in flight is like).
Though they do feed on fish, herons also eat small birds, mammals and amphibians. And so while I welcome herons to the Priory, I also wince at the thought of them spearing ‘my’ beloved frogs and toads.
And how do I know it is a juvenile? Well, since you ask – because when I visited Berlin Zoo in the spring I took these photos of an adult. Mature herons have a white forehead and cap, a handsome crest and grey ‘cape.’
Though the herons at the zoo are ‘wild,’ because of an endless stream of visitors they are hardly bashful. Which is good news if you want to get a decent close up … but have creaky knees.
The Anxious Gardener 
I recently snapped one of these. I was so surprised to find it perched in an oak tree.
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Hi, they land on oak trees at the Priory too and of course nest in trees. They do look out of place though. Dave
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I live by a lake and see lots of white egrets and one large grey one. I call him Charlie, just cause. They are beautiful birds and are welcome here because there are plenty of fish and toads to share. They don’t bother my gardens.
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They are an impressive visitor – though I envy you your white egrets. We have them on the coast where I live but not inland. Thanks for commenting. Dave
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Hi Dave. To see a wild bird like this in a ‘domestic’ setting is very lifting. Here we have a similar-looking creature, a white-faced grey heron – a pair of which is sometimes seen floating about over my back yard.
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Hi Faisal, just had a look at your white-faced grey heron. Very similar aren’t they? I can’t think that you have a very watery world outside your back door though?
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The herons are certainly one of my favorite birds; your photos really capture them at their best.
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Thanks Charlie. As much as I worry at what they might be eating, I do wish they were less shy. D
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Great photos of an interesting visitor, the adult has quite the colors.
I would also be a little nervous for the frogs……..
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I read recently that herons can take ducklings as well. I wonder whether that is why we haven’t had any baby ducks for a few years now (though it could be mink, foxes, rats etc etc). D
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Darn! My recent posting on my heron sighting looks rather pathetic now…off to have a private sob & to kick something!
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Yours is a good un, Jane. Heck, we have a flipping big watery heron attraction at the Priory. Hope your toes aren’t too painful. D
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Stunning photos, it was worth the effort! In 20 odd years we have only seen a heron once in the garden here, soon after we made the pond, we don’t have fish, so maybe that is why we haven’t seen it again.
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Just don’t stick a plastic heron next to your pond, Pauline. Apparently it attracts herons rather than deters them. (As if you would anyhow). Dave
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Oh how fabulous to have the grey heron right there at the Priory! What lovely photos you were able to take. Beautiful.
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Thanks Mom.
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we’ve had them in our garden, even though theres no water… must be the same ones
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They’re after your children, Ben.
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You got some excellent photos of these birds, which I know isn’t as easy as it might sound.
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Thanks Allen – it has taken four or five years! Dave
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What a beautiful bird – well worth the sacrifice of a few of “your” frogs 😉 Sorry about your knees, occupational hazard methinks. Lovely shots.
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I suppose so, Janet. There are so many frogs at the Priory that I guess it is a fair enough trade-off. I suppose. Grudgingly. Dave
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Such lovely photographs, thank you for another interesting little tale. I really look forward to them.
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Thanks Jane. That’s nice to hear.
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Beautiful birds, I’ve never got close enough to see that beautiful cap and tufty feathers.
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I’d never noticed quite how beautiful they were, Amelia. It was only as I studied the photos in Berlin, that I noticed the extraordinary detail. Dave
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Love herons. We have a regular on a river local to us. I’m always impressed by their size. A few years ago we were canoeing on the Norfolk Broads and spotted one on the riverbank partially hidden by trees. It had THE most enormous fish in its beak. As we crept closer it couldn’t work out whether to fly off and leave the fish behind or just stay there as still as possible. Fortunately for us it chose the latter and we got some good photos. I always think you can see the link with birds from the dinosaur age with herons.
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I certainly see the dinosaur link, WW. Years ago, I was cycling in thick mist over a footbridge and a heron swooped low over my head. I was so spooked I almost fell into the river. It was like being dived on by a nazgul. Dave
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Great images despite the creaking knees, which most gardeners share I fear.
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Thanks Christina. I do worry rather about my knees but treat them real mean. D
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Nice photos!
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Thanks.
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Amazing photos, so pleased you managed to get them and thank you for sharing.
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You’re very welcome, Ann.
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What beautiful birds, so graceful. You must feel very privileged – even if the frogs are less so…
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I’m very protective of my frogs, toads and newts, Sara. But then I love having grass-snakes and herons at the Priory too. It’s all about balance I guess. Dave
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They are handsome birds aren’t they? Although I’d rather not see them in our garden….
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I did think of you Boys when writing this post and how you most certainly wouldn’t appreciate a heron visit. D
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we didn’t lose any fish this year !!!!!
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Good for you, Sue. There are now no fish in the east pond – I might explain why in a forthcoming post. D
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Stunning!
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Yes – aren’t they?
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