Heron Thinking.....

[welshgold]

I was watching this Heron on our local park pond and when he flew to different parts of the lake all the other birds seemed to move out of the way for him, was this a mark of respect or is the Heron just a nasty piece of work? lol

Using a EF300mm f/4L IS USM lens @ ISO 1250, f5.6, 1/1250s, Ap. Priority, Canon EOS 40D camera

[Dogghound]

If I was a small duck and a heron was about to land near me I would do the same. Most birds show a certain degree of caution to heron due to their large size. Depending on what birds they were some will mobb herons. Its also not unheard of for herons to eat young/small birds.

[faz]

hi welshgold

as dogghound as said they eat all sorts if its small enough to swallow whole its dinner so most other wild life would give them a wide birth they are huge so most thins will get out of ther way

[Stinky Bob]

Nice shot welshgold

[bobbarber]

I remember, many years ago in Essex I was watching a heron in the lake near the heronry when a moorhen came too close to it. A few seconds later the moorhen seemed to explode as the heron struck at it. The heron made no attempt at eating it but flew up the lake and settled down to continue fishing...Bob

[kennelmaid]

I have seen herons take young ducks, moorhens, coots and even seen one grab a great crested grebe by the throat. I've also seen one use it,s beak like a dagger to kill a young stoat. The stoat gave quite a fight but lost in the end. Herons can really be "bad guys"

[thebeard]

yep! bitterns too! one was seen eating a wren at potteric carr last winter!