During many walks along riverbanks and streams in Cumbria I seem to come across at least one Heron.
Standing majestically, as if awaiting a black cab, the grey feathered birds to me seem like the all knowing, financial boffins of the bird world.
It is quite strange how this bird portrays the sophisticated elegance of a banker or even a bridegroom standing deep in thought for endless minutes.
Heron numbers
According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) the Heron sits at the top of the predators in the freshwater food chain. As such they can be used as a natural barometer of river health.
Could it be that better water quality and river management are reasons for the apparent increase in Heron numbers?
Using the online bird recognition service provided by the RSPB I think that we managed to photograph a Grey Heron in Rickerby Park last week.
The RSPB estimates that there are around 13,000 Grey Heron breeding nests in the UK.
I was interested to read that it is not unusual for a heron to eat ducklings, voles and amphibians as well as their preferred diet of fish.
Have you noticed an increase in Heron numbers? Let me know via the comments area below.
Until next time, licks and wags
Charlie