EARLY BIRDS THINK SPRING HAS ARRIVED

FOR such a large water bird it is perhaps surprising that grey herons nest in trees – although they are somewhat ungainly when it comes to clambering about in the branches.

While solitary hunters, they are communal breeders, nesting together in well-established and noisy heronries – although single nests are not uncommon.

They typically build their large nest of sticks high in a tree near water, renovating a previous year’s construction to save time, and breeding activity begins in February, with some laying during that month but the peak being in March.

During the breeding season the heron’s dull yellow bill becomes flushed with pinkish-orange hues.