Ardea cinerea
Distribution Britain 2335 (+38.4%) Ireland 791 (+2.6%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 10,000 Ireland 3,650 nests
European status: 122,000 (11% in Britain and Ireland =3)
British population trend: increase 33% (sample census 1972-96)
When falconry was important so were heronries: flying Peregrines at Herons was considered the very best sport but, subsequently, preservation for this purpose lapsed and the birds were depleted. There may have been about 6,000 breeding in England and Wales in 1890. Severe winter weather can cause big drops in breeding numbers — as much as 50% — but recovery to previous levels only takes a few years with mild winters. Currently, following a run of fairly open winters, the breeding populations may be around 3,000 pairs in Scotland, 750 in Wales and about 6,000 in England. The numbers of nests in England and Wales have been estimated at sample colonies for many years. Over the last few years the total for England has probably been at its highest recorded level — 6,000 to 6,300. In recent years illegal persecution from fishermen has probably declined and the effect of toxic chemicals, on a top predator, have diminished but deaths against wires continue. Prospects good for a widespread species.
The following Bird On! picture is available:
Grey Heron (Watercolour by Robert Gillmor)