18/02/20 - Heronies Census

Despite the recent stormy weather, many of our early nesters will be underway with breeding activity now, including our Grey Herons. Each year we monitor our local site contributing to the BTO Heronries Census, and have been doing so for the last 40 years. Our efforts, along with other volunteers, saw nearly 800 heronries visited across the UK in 2019, with the population estimate of 9,940 apparently occupied nests - representing a slight increase on the 2018 figure. Another mild winter like the one we’ve just had should further help the population. 

As well as the Heronries Census, each month we also undertake the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), with the February count showing an increase in Grey Herons - total of 36 returning birds were counted. Our latest WeBS survey also showed a total of 13 Little Egrets have already returned to the site, compared with a total of just 4 at the same time last year. Numbers will continue to increase throughout the year, so we may well be on course to break the first count of over 100 – with 85 recorded in mid-May last year. When visiting the site please do let us know about your sightings and keep an eye out of any colour-ringed birds thank you.