Young Grey Herons have it easy in their first few months out on the marsh with huge juicy Marsh Frogs and their tadpoles to feast on as well as the odd slow Moorhen and Coot chick. Now, things start to get tough. It is the time of year when we see more Heron attacks on Water Voles as they become more obvious as the vegetation dies back and there is more foraging on the foreshore at high tide for Brown Rats and smaller mammals. They actually have to try and catch the Rudd which is problematical as they only reside in the deeper channels and if they do not learn soon from the adults to hunt for alternatives they will struggle in the coming winter months.
(Basil Thornton)
Note the 'landing lights' on the forewing joints (Fred Roll)
24-10-12