RSPB Notes (From Somerset County Gazette)

RSPB Notes

10:21am Monday 30th April 2007

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A SUNDAY outing in the car ended with a stop at the heronry in Swell Wood, part of the RSPB reserve at West Sedgemoor. Now is a good time to observe the comings and goings of the herons as they are tending to the needs of their young for at least another month.

There are 94 nests this year and, up to now, two nesting little egrets. It is a pleasant way to spend some time, sitting in the quiet atmosphere of the hide, listening to the raucous calls of the young herons and screech of the parents as they make their way between the nest site and the wet meadows.

Grey herons are not particularly popular with fishermen. However, their diet does not consist solely of fish. Frogs, small mammals (such as moles, voles, shrews, mice and rats) and young birds such as moorhens, coots and mallards figure prominently on the grey heron's menu. Some molluscs, insects and even vegetable matter are also taken.

It is generally thought that the eel seems to be its favourite tit-bit. Anyone who has ever handled an eel will know that they are very slimy. The heron is remarkably equipped to deal with this. Among the feathers of its breast is a patch of down that continually frays, producing a fine powder not unlike talc. The bird also has a serrated claw that, together with the talc', makes a very efficient plumage-cleaning comb.

Herons are one of the earlier nesters, usually producing between three and five eggs early in March. The incubation period is about three and a half weeks and the young are in the nest for a further seven to eight weeks.

They look really large when flying overhead, but much of the appearance of size is due to the broad expanse of wing. In truth, although the heron is about three feet long, most of this is legs and neck - the body is only about sixteen inches.

Although the British heron population is rather sedentary, Continental birds are much more migratory, with a large number spending the winter months here in the British Isles.

There are two remarkable instances of grey herons that were ringed in France crossing the Atlantic to be recovered on Caribbean islands.

For great views of this large, interesting bird, make a visit to Swell Woods and experience the noisy, busy, boisterous world of the grey heron.

Diary date: Thursday, May 10. Horner Woods. Meet at car park, map ref SS898455, 10am. Led by Charles Quinn (Taunton 326168).

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