Grey Heron

[RAY LYNCH]

Hi al ,
Is this normal behaviour. I was out driving this evening on a busy road in Blackpool around 18.00 it was dark.I came to a large well lit roundabout and saw a grey heron apparently hunting for food in the middle of it, on my return journey I saw what I assume is the same bird on another roundabout about 1/2 a mile away I have always regarded them as shy animals trying to avoid contact whenever possible.

Cheers

Ray.

[Dogghound]

They probably dont associate cars as a danger. They often forage away from water for small mammals, amphibians and invertebrates such as worms. A heron on a roundabout is probably not the most typical behaviour you are likely to see though.

[healfdan]

Just a thought. It is likely that water had settled or moistened the surface of the roundabouts causing them to shimmer under the street lighting. I often saw a Heron dabbling in the dew covered grass under security lights.

[Acipiter]

For the last few years I have noticed this sort of behaviour too. It always seems to be around this time of year, so its probably a shortage of food thing. I have seen up to 3 in the nearby fields looking for food as well, so in answer to your question no it is not normal, but I am sure you have heard of the heron at the garden pond thing. its like they adapt to their" situation as most birds will do.

[Littlesparrow]

we get visited by Herons every so often, there are a number of ponds with fish I think they are after, I don't think the herons here are that shy. I have also seen a couple in Germany next to a road and roundabout.

[Jackaroo]

Hi,I haven't seen it recently but there used to be a heron who often perched on the top of the lamp-posts lining the road in the Claverhouse area of Dundee and surveyed the traffic as it sped back and forth beneath. The Dighty Burn runs through that part of the city and I guess it felt safer up there than down amongst the undergrowth. Too close to the local neds!

[RAY LYNCH]

Thanks for your reply's, a few years back we used to have 1 sit on our garage most mornings around 11.00, there was no water nearby apart from the sea probaby taking in the view before moving on.
I know amphibians make up a large part of their diet but is it usual for them to hunt after dark or is this likely to be driven by hunger especially now we are so close to the shotrtest day of the year.

Ray.

[Dogghound]

Herons often hunt after dark, although they use their sight for hunting so are limited as to what they can hunt. Ive seen them take fish (i think) on urban rivers at night when the lighting is good.

[thebeard]

There's a stubble field right next to a busy carraigeway near clifton in nottingham which often has at least one heron feeding amongst the crows and pigeons. If there is food to be had, then why not exploit the area, even if it is rather busy!