Hello folks.
I saw a flock of seagulls mobbing a heron on the canal. Has anyone seen this before, or know why?
Thanks
Pipit
Perhaps the heron was too near the nests or too near their fish supper
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
I haven't seen seagulls do this but I have seen a heron being mobbed by crows and jackdaws. I think they are seen as a predator which of course they can be. Herons would certainly eat young chicks if they got the chance.They will take young moorhens and coots for example.
Regards TJ
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Herons will take young birds, or even eggs given the chance, so the mobbing is group security. The birds club together against the foe.
Unknown said: Hello folks. I saw a flock of seagulls mobbing a heron on the canal. Has anyone seen this before, or know why? Thanks Pipit
I saw the exactly the same thing on Saturday. The Heron was also close to a Swans nest but the Swan didnt seem to mind
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Hi folks
I'm afraid your observations about the heron are so true. See these photos of the sad demise of a poor little duckling. They are not very clear, but in the first photo you can see the heron behind the post eyeing up the duckling family in the water. In the second photo you can see the poor victim in the heron's beak.
On a happier note, I couldn't resist posting this photo of the cutest little goldfinch. Ahhhh
Have a look at this .. It is a wee bit disturbing but it just shows you what Herons will eat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWZqHUYpp84
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Thank you, Pipit,
Unknown said: On a happier note, I couldn't resist posting this photo of the cutest little goldfinch. Ahhhh
AL that's gross!
I can't help liking herons though. They are such elegant birds despite their eating habits. It's all just nature I suppose. Red in tooth and, err, beak!
No more heron videos thanks AL. I think I'll stick to watching TJ's bushes.
Unknown said: I think I'll stick to watching TJ's bushes.
LOL Pipit. At least my videos of bushes are not X rated. I'll try and get some birds in them next time.
Regards
TJ