Herron nesting on a Pylon, is this common?

[StRoRo]

There are lots of Herrons round here but no really large trees for them to nest in. Today, I saw a Herron nesting in an electricity pylon.
Is this common?

[aeshna5]

That's interesting! I've never seen a Heron using a pylon before. Though usually nesting in trees they will nest in other places such as reedbeds, cliffs + at one London LNR a few pairs nest on rafts.

It might be worth sending your photo +details to the BTO as they conduct an annual heronry census + maybe unaware of this, especially given the unusual location.

[faz]

ive seen common buzzards and various corvids nest in a pylon never a heron always thought they were communal nesters (heronary)

[Adam Cheeseman]

I've heard of this before, I guess it makes a suitable alternative to a tree. Go abroad and you will see White Storks nesting on every pylon going in some of their breeding areas.

Cheers,

Adam

[posie]

..Kestrels nest in the pylon here, every year.....the crows try to take the eggs/chicks frequently, I don't think they have ever succeeded though.

[the poacher]

why not indeed,seen pair of Hobbies,high up on pylon near the Wye,Lugg rivers.great picture.