Heron Watch 2023

Images by Alan Jackson

Monday 10th July 2023 - warm, cloudy, light breeze

10.35 - no nests occupied. Ravens seen in Nest 7. No adults in view

11.18 - Red Kite showing interest in Nest 7 (possible carrion)

11.27  2 Red Kites showing an interest in Nest 7 (remains can be seen) fly close buy won't land

11.35 - Kites landed in tree below Nest 7, found carrion, while eating carrion dropped lower in the tree

12.04 - Raven landed in Nest 7 

Friday 7th July 2023 - hot and sunny

10.15 - Nest 1, only 2 chicks left. Raven took chick on 5th July and other chick killed by siblings

10.30 - Two Ravens seen in Nest 7 attacking remaining 2 chicks.

Nest 1 - Two Ravens were still occupying this nest at 11.40 but only one seen at 11.55. By 12.15 nest was empty, although plumage of deceased chick was visible. At 13.45 an adult Heron was back standing adjacent to the nest. At 14.35 a Raven returned to this nest and appeared to carry on devouring the remains of the chicks and was joined by a second Raven five minutes later

Nest 7 - Carried on regardless of the fatal assault on nest. The adult remained in attendance all of the time I was present. Feeding the 2 chicks from time to time. To my mind this nest is a bit of a mystery. While the single adult was incubating I never witnessed a change over or visit from a second bird. This remains the case, I have still not seen a second bird helping out or seen the nest without an adult present. When or how is she feeding?

Tuesday 4th July 2023 - overcast, drizzle, sunny periods, rain pm

Nest 1 - 4 chicks. Parents no longer present all the time

Nest 2 - no activity seen

Nest 7 - 2 chicks plus parents, no sign of 3rd chick

13.00 - Nest 7, chicks fed

Nest 1 - smallest (No 4) chick constantly being bullied by others, trying to keep itself out of trouble by moving to outer edge of nest. It moves back to huddle with the others once they have calmed down

13.30 - Persistant rain started

14.10 - Nest 1, adult returned to feed chicks

Nest 7 - adult brooding chicks in the rain

Monday 3rd July 2023 - warm, windy, cloudy

11.00 - Nest 1 & 7, parents with chicks. All quiet

11.30 - Nest  7, 3 chicks seen

11.42 - Nest 1, parents left

12.30 - Nest 1, parent returned, now feeding

12.32 - adult fly by

12.35 - Nest 1, parent left

12.44 - rain showers

12.49 - Nest 2, adult flew in, heard greeting. Heard at least 1 chick, possible sighting. 2nd adult seen, 1 chick confirmed

13.53 - 2 Ravens circling

14.13 - Nest 7, chicks feeding. 3rd (newest) chick being pecked by siblings

Friday 30th June 2023 - cooler and overcast

An adult flew at about 11.45 and perched somewhere between nests 5 & 6 as if it was about to help out at Nest 7. It stayed for about 5 minutes and then flew off

Another adult (same bird?) flew in at 12.10 and perched in the area on Nest 3 and remained there for a long time (at least 50 minutes), but made no contact with either of the occupied nests. There were no visits during the day by second birds to either of the occupied nests

Nest 1 - adult in attendance  during the day with 4 chicks clearly growing as seen on the camera

Nest 7 - one adult in attendance during the day. Only two chicks visible through the scope

Monday 26th June 2023 - warm, sunny, light breeze

Nest 1 - chicks (4) left alone. Adult returned, 2nd adult arrived with food

Nest 2 - adult seen

Nest 5 - adult flew in and sat in nest

11.15 - Nest 7, one adult seen

11.30 - Nest 7, parent re-eating 4 fish from bottom of the nest. 1 chick visible

12.45 - Nest 7, adult regurgitating 4 fish. 2nd chick visible

13.42 - Nest 7, both chicks seen eating

13.50 - Nest 7, 2nd adult returned, changover and chicks being fed

Friday 23th June 2023 - warm, cloudy to start with, blue sky after 12.30pm

Nest 1 (on camera) - Has 4 chicks, parent in attendance all morning. Standing most of the time, preening or moving nest twigs around. Second adult flew in at 14.30 and regurgiated  whole small fish for the chicks to dig into. Chicks could not be seen with the telescope yet.

Nest 7 - Still has a sitting bird which stands, preens and then sits down again. On closer examination it can be seen that this bird is not a fully mature adult

There has been no activity in any other nest areas and no adult activity apart from that noted above

Tuesday 20th June 2023 - very hot, sunny

Nest 1 - 4 tiny chicks

Nest 2 - adult with well-grown chick(s), seen through the silver birch at left hand end of balcony

Nest 5A - 1 adult standing, not sure if parent of deceased chicks or a random adult

Nest 7 - adult sitting tight, no sign of chicks or changeover

Nest 16 - no activity, presume ravens have killed the young heard on Friday

13.15 - Nest 1, chicks fed, then 2nd adult returned - started stealing twigs from empty Nest 12A and presenting it to his mate on Nest 1      

Monday 19th June 2023 

11.00 - 2 ravens attacked 3 heron chicks in Nest 5A. Long fight, but one by one pulled from nest and appeared to be held by head or upper neck until dropped into Heron Valley.

Friday 16th June 2023 - hot sunny day

Sub adult perched on fallen tree in lake during morning, which attracted the attention of an adult for a minor altercation. Sub adult remained on fallen tree.

Nest 1 - Two chicks with adult in attendance with second adult taking twigs from Nests 12/12A and returning with them to be incorporated into nest?

Nest 3 - some activity but difficult to ascertain what

Nest 5A - 2 almost fully grown chicks out of nest but being fed by adult.

Nest 7 - appears to have a sitting adult who stands up from time to time. A time to rearrange the nest and move eggs?

Nest 12/12A/13 - all empty after the complete predation of 12A

Nest 16 - young birds can be heard demanding to be fed in this area

Tuesday 13th June 2023 - very hot and sunny

Nest 1 - still incubating 4 eggs

Nest 3 - 12.40, chicks fed

Nest 5A - still chicks with adult

Nest 7 - adult brooding chicks

Nest 12 - 1 adult standing, not sure if one of the parents of 12A

Nest 12A - Raven returned at 12.00 to strip more meat from the chick carcases

13.40 - Nest 5A, adults changed over, chicks fed

13.50 - Nest 1, adults changed over

14.20 - Nest 5A, eldest (? only) chick left alone - panting to lose heat

Monday 12th June 2023

11.15 - Nest 12A predated (3 chicks) by 2 ravens    

Little other activity observed

Tuesday 6th June 2023 - cold, overcast

Nest 1 - 4 eggs

Nest 3 - appears to be occupied by a pair, definatelt incubating

Nest 5A - adult still present, appears to be feeding chicks

Nest 7 - still incubating, may have chicks

Nest 12A - adult still guarding chicks

Nest 16 - adult standing

13.15 - Nest 5A, chicks fed

Adults occasionally seen flying low up the valley to the right. We think there may be an active nest up there despite the ravens

Nest 12A - adult spending time out of the nest gathering stick/twigs from other nests (5 & 13) or surrounding branches

Judging from the humped position we suspect Nest 7 now has chicks which are being brooded

Nest 12A - adult absent most of the afternoon

Friday 2nd June 2023

Adults present in 5A, 7, 12A

3 chicks in 12A

15.55 - 2 adults in 5A, no unusual behaviour

Very little activity all day      

Wednesday 31st May 2023 - very cloudy, cool, breezy

Nest 1 - sitting and changeover at 12.00

Nest 5A - adult standing occassionally

Nest 7 - incubating

Nest 12A - lying in nest over chicks

Nest 16 - adult standing

Juvenile sitting on fallen branch over water 

13.00 - Nest 12A, adult changeover

13.50 - Nest 7, changeover

Tuesday 30th May 2023 - cloudy, sunny spells, breezy

Nest 1 - incubating 4 eggs

Nest 5A - pair incubating

Nest 7 - new pair incubating

Nest 12A - adult & 3 chicks

Nest 16 - adult standing

Nest 21 - no activity seen

Very quiet, 2 adults at lakeside, don't know outcomes for Nests 14, 18, 3 or 21

12.50 - Nest 12A, changeover, chicks fed

Nest 5A - adult left a couple of times to fetch new sticks

Monday 29th May 2023 - cloudy, cool, breezy

10.45 - Nest 12A, changeover

11.08 - Nest 12A, 2 adults standing

11.16 - Nest 12A, adult bringing sticks

11.35 - Nest 5A, changeover

12.11 - Nest 12A, 3 chicks seen

Friday 26th May 2023

Adult flew into nest, chicks calling

Adult on Nest 12, egg visible on right side of nest

Nest 1A - heron stood and turned eggs, 4 visible. Adult bringing sticks.

14.15 - 1 chick on Nest 12

15.20 - Nest 12, changeover and 2 chicks fed     

Wednesday 24th May 2023 - blue sky, some cloud, warm & sunny

12.50 - Nest 1, adult and 4 eggs

Nest 7 - adult sitting & standing

Nest 5A - adult seen occassionally

Nest 12A - adult sitting alot

Nest 16 - adult on nest, another brought a twig in possible changeover

Nest 21 - adult flew in

13.50 - Nest 12A, adult standing, 2 chicks seen

14.00 - Nest 12A, adult change over

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 

Nest 1 - incubating

Nest 7 - fledglings now gone, a new pair have moved in and are now incubating

Nest 11 - 2 chicks

Nest 12A - adult standing with head down in nest, chicks newly hatched

Nest 16 - adult standing on nest

Nest 21 - adults seen bringing food

14.50 - an adult flew into Nest 4 and chicks promptly started calling. Then an adult flew into Nest 5A and was greeted by another adult which had been invisible.

Nest 1 - both chicks predated by ravens late afternoon

Monday 22nd May 2023 - cloudy, slight breeze

Nest 3 - chicks visible

Nest 7 - 2 adults cleaning nest

Nest 12A - adult attending nest. Adult dropping food into bottom of nest

Nest 22 - adults changing over 

Friday 19th May 2023 - overcast and light rain, then dry pm

Nest 1A - empty, but adult moving twigs around

Nest 2 - empty nest, but adult returning to stand in nest

Nest 3 - empty nest, but adult landing in nest for short spell

Nest 5 - empty nest, but occupied for short period

Nest 6 - empty

Nest 7 - empty, but no sign of chicks from last week

Nest 12 - empty

Nest 12A - sitting adult, standing from time to time. Pushing its beak down into the nest, possibly feeding new chicks

Nest 13 - some activity seen in the morning with adult standing on nest

Nest 14, 16 & 18 - some activity in this area, but a marauding raven sounded as if it was perched in this area, early pm

Nest 17 & 19 - an adult and chick could be seen through the foilage

There has been a lot of coming and going by adult birds, occupying various nests for short periods, sometimes re-arrangging twigs. No fledged young birds have been seen in the vicinity of the Heronry. Last year they occupied fallen trees and lake bank after fledging

Wednesday 17th May 2023 - warm, slight breeze, some cloud/sun

Nest 1 - some adult activity

Nest 3 - adult and changover

Nest 5 & 7 - empty

Nest 6 - nothing today

Nest 12 - empty

Nest 12A - adult sitting, looks like turning eggs

Nest 13 - adults seen visiting but otherwise deserted

Nest 21 - adult seen, 2 chicks

Fledglings on bank by log and fallen branch in water

Tuesday 16th May 2023 - sunny

Nest 1 - a new pair beginning to refurbish nest

Nest 1A & Nest 2 - empty

Nest 3 - occupied

Nest 5 - may contain dead chick.Well grown chick/fledgling. May be fledgling from Nest 7 moving

Nest 6 - well grown chick/fledgling around the tree. Maybe fledgling from Nest 7 moving

Nest 7 - 2 fledglings occasionally present

Nest 11 - adult and 2 chicks

Nest 12 - empty, but appear to be 2 balls of down not moving

Nest 12A - incubating. 12.45, turned eggs

Nest 13 - at least 2 chicks, large but still downy heads, almost ready to fledge

Nest 14 - no activity seen

Nest 16 - no activity seen

Nest 18 - no activity heard

Nest 21 - adult and chicks

13.00 - Raven seen to fly around flat topped tree, then landed on Nest 13 and proceeded to attack chicks. they fought back, but to no avail. 2nd raven appeared but stayed outside nest. Sitting bird in Nest 12A made aggressive moves towards both ravens 

Monday 15th May 2023 - sunny, cool breeze

10.40 - Nest 11, adult preening, 2 chicks in view

11.06 - adult landed in larch

11.10 - adult in larch chased away by adult from Nest 12A

11.43 - Nest 7, 2 fledglings wing stretching

12.34 - Nest 22, adult arrived. 

14.14 - Nest 16, adult arrived. Nest 22, adult changeover

Friday 12th May 2023 - overcast, then rain

No fledglings seen perched around the lake

Nest 1A - a chick seen in morning but nest appeared empty @14.10

Nest 2 - 2 adults in attendance, on working on nest

Nest 3 - 1 adult in attendance, no chicks visible

Nest 5 - 1 chick visible, possible corpse in nest as well

Nest 6 - no eveident activity

Nest  7 - 2 chicks going on walkabout from nest, but not airbourne today.

Nest 12 - completely vacant

Nest 13 - 1 adult vivible with chick(s)

Nest 14, 16 7 18 - some activity in this area

Nest 19/20? - sitting adults seen

Nest 22 - adult aerial activity seen in this area

Wednesday 10th  May 2023 - variable cloud, light breeze, mild

11.10 - 2 chicks on camera with adult

Nest 7 - 1 chick standing

Nest 12A - adult sitting

Nest 13 - bird on nest

Nest 19 - adult and 2 chicks

11.34 - changeover in 15 or15A

11.42 - nest 3, adult preening. Nest 13, changover. Nest 4, adult preening. Nest 7, 1 chick branching, another chick appeared from behing needles then both branched together

Monday 8th May 2023 - cloud, light rain, no wind

10.45 - Nest 19, adult feeding, changeover

11.00 - Four cyclists by the lake

11.05 - Nest 15, adult arrived. Nest 12A, adult sitting.  Nest 12 & 13, adult standing

11.18 - Nest 17, adult arrived. Nest 22, adult arrived. Nest 7, fledgling stretching. Nest 12A, adult nest tidying

11.40 - Nest 15, adult arrived, changeover, fed chicks. Both adults left

12.11 - Nest 17 (or Nest 22), adult seen fussing with 2 chicks

12.37 - Nest 11, nest left unattended

12.38 - Nest 11, adult bringing in stick

12.49 - Nest 12A, adult bringing in stick

13.24 - Nest 12A, both adults nest building

13.25 - Nest 7, both chicks stretching wings

13.40 - Nest 12A, one adult came to collect sticks from this side of the pond near bird table twice

13.50 - Nest 12, adult picking at chick

14.15 - Nest 12, adult left nest

Friday 5th May 2023 - sun and cloud then thunderstorm @ 13.15 and some rain

Nest 1A - two chicks present, no adults seen

Nest 2 - empty

Nest 3 - chick(s) present, not possible to enumerate

Nest 5 - no evident activity

Nest 6 - no evident activity

Nest 7 - two almost fledged chicks, walking to end of branch flexing wings

Nest 12 - two chicks, no adult seen

Nest 12A - adult sitting and standing

Nest 13 - a chick seen through foliage

Nest 17/19 - a changeover of adults seen about 13.30

Nest 21 - sitting adult seen

Nest 15/15A - no visible activity

Nest 14, 16 & 18 - no visible activity   

Thursday 4th May 2023 - bright but windy

10.30 - juvenile seen on fallen birch in lake. First fledger?

10.35 - two crows in and out of Nest 5. Can be seen pecking and tearing something

11.20 - crow attempted to land in Nest 2, adult heron chased it off. Crow went back to Nest 5

11.25 - fledgling moved from birch to unknown perch (my back was turned)

11.46 - fledgling seen sunbathing on bank by fallen birch

13.30 - two crows returned to Nest 5

Tuesday 2nd May 2023 - cloudy, dry and cold

Nest 1A - two chicks fed 12.45

Nest 2 - empty

Nest 3 - bird present, yet later in day another adult stealing twigs from this nest

Nest 5 - no activity seen

Nest  6 - no activity seen

Nest 7 - two very large chicks, should be ready to make first flight but making no effort

Nest 12 - adult and two chicks

Nest 12A - adult incubating

Nest 13 - adult still present but  no sign of chicks

Nest 16 - pair present

Nest 18 - chicks heard

Nest 21 - adult present on nest. Second adult standing below. At least one chick seen

Nest 11 - adult and two chicks (third chick perished)

Nest 14 - no activity seen but chicks known to be present

12.45 - Nest 1A & Nest 7 - two chicks fed

13.20 - adult flew into Nest 4, then dropped down to old Nest (Nest 4), then flew off

13.30 - Nest 11, chicks fed

14.20 - Nest 7, oldest chick climbed up to top of tree and briefly did some wing flapping

14.40 - Nest 14, adult flew in, chicks called but no feeding obsereved

14.50 - Nest 1A, chicks fed

Adult from Nest 1A stealing twigs from Nest 3

Monday 1st May 2023 

11.09 - Nest 5, adult bring sticks

Nest 7 - fledgling stretching and wing flapping

Nest 12 - two chicks visible

Nest 12A - parents sitting

Nest 18 - changeover

All other nests quiet       

Friday 28th April 2023 - overcast and some sun later

Nest 1A - standing adult present and a chick

Nest 2 - empty

Nest 3 - standing adult present all day

Nest 5 - no activity

Nest 6 - no activity

Nest 7 - two large chicks vacated nest leaving corpse in place but chicks not fledged yet

Nest 11 - one chick deceased this morning, leaving two chicks with parent

Nest 12 - two chicks, adult present all day

Nest 12A - sitting adult (incubating) all day

Nest 13 - difficult to ascertain nature of activity due to prevalence of foliage

Nest 17/19 - no visible activity

Nest 22 - no visible activity

Nest 14, 16 & 18 - adults flying into these nests on a fairly consistant basis during the day

Tuesday 25th April 2023 - sun and cloud

Nest 1A - adult present, chicks fed at 13.30

Nest 2 - empty after last weeks crow attack

Nest 3 - adult present briefly but otherwise seems empty

Nest 5 - two large chicks seen

Nest 6 - one large chick seen

Nest 7 - two large chicks and one dead chick. Fed at 11.45 & 12.00

Nest 11 - three chicks

Nest 12 - adult and two chicks min

Nest 12A - incubating adult

Nest 13 - adult still sitting but by now should have chicks as large as in Nest 7

Nest 14 -  no activity seen

Nest 15 - adult from Nest 18 stealing twigs so nest empty

Nest 15A - no activity seen

Nest 16 - pair refurbishing nest

Nest 17 -no activity seen, nest empty as an adult from Nest 16 was stealing twigs

Nest 18 - nest unseen up valley

Nest 19 & 20 - no activity seen

Nest 21 - adult present, second adult changeover

Nest 22 - no activity seen

pm - Nest 2, two adults present despite bones of previous occupant still being present

13.50 - Nest 13, adult standing and preening but no sign of any chicks.

13.50 - Nest 12, chicks fed

14.30 - chicks heard calling from right hand side of decking (Nest 18). Nest 12, two chicks fed again

Monday 24th April 2023 

Nest 12A - very active refurbishment

10.49 - Nest 12, adult changeover with food, two chicks

11.06 - Nest 12A, adults mating

11.19 - Nest 5, adult with sticks

11.51 - Nest 7, adult with food

Nest 2, 5,22 & 17 - adults in and out regularly

12.12 - Nest 11, three chicks feeding. Adult tidying nest

12.59 - Nest 15, adult bringing stick

13.10 - Nest 1A, adult tidying nest, two chicks visible

13.50 - Nest 11, adult feeding chicks

Sunday 23rd April 2023

Nest 11 - third chick hatched

Friday 21st April 2023 - overcast, cold and then rain

Nest 1 - standing adult

Nest 1A - a chick visible (possibly more than one)

Nest 2 - skeleton visible hanging over side of nest and standing adult

Nest 3 - standing adult removed stick from nest and took it to Nest 6 and possibly a sitting bird

Nest 5 - one chick visible (6/7 weeks old)

Nest 6 - nothing visible

Nest 12 - a chick evident with sitting adult

Nest 12A - sitting adult with second adult in attendance some of the time

Nest 13 - occupied nest but difficult to ascertainb content because of foilage

Nest 22 - apparent sitting bird

Nest 17/19 - adult seen in this area on top of tree

Nest 14 - adult seen flying into this position

General note - overall quite a lot of adult activity, flying around collecting/removing sticks. 

Nest 11 - three eggs and a chick emerged this morning, parent disgorging food too big for chick to handle, no parent took it back.

Thursday 20th April 2023 

Nest 12A? - sitting bird

Nest 2 - attacked by crows. Can be seen pecking and pulling at spoils in nest

Nest 7 - two chicks, one dead

Wednesday 19th April 2023 - cold, cloudy,quite breezy

Nest 3 - adults changeover

Nest 5 - two chicks

Nest 7 - two chicks, one wing flapping

Nest 12 - two chicks and adult standing

Nest 12A - two adults initially and one flew off

Nest 13 - looks like adult sitting

No other signs of activity

Tuesday 18th April 2023 - sunny but breezy (cold)

Nest 12A - Pair present

Two immature and one adult heron on far bank

11.45 - chicks heard calling from a nest up in the valley (Nest 16 or 18)

One adult heron with a clump of flight feathers missing from left wing flew around the colony and then departed to the north

Birds present in Nests 2,3,7 (with well grown chicks), 12, 12A,13,21 & 15

12.00 - Nest 7, one chick exercising wing muscles

12.20 - Nest 5, an adult flew in and perched above the nest. At least one chick appeared to lunge aggresively towards this stranger

12.50 - Three herons flew in at the same time

Nest 2 - Three large chicks fed, the largest chick exercised wings

One adult briefly investigated Nest 1, then landed by Nest 4

13.20 - Nest 12, chicks fed

Monday 17th April 2023 - warm and sunny, light breeze

Nest 1A - 1 adult standing

Nest 2 - 1 adult arrived

Nest 5 - 1 chick seen

Nest 7 - 2 chicks visible

Nest 12A - 1 adult left for rest in nearby tree and returned

Nest 16 - 1 adult standing

Nest 17 - 1 adult arrived

Nest 21 - 1 immature heron landed

Friday 14th April - high cloud, then overcast and rain, cold

Nest 1 - empty

Nest 1A - adult and chick

Nest 2 - adult and chick

Nest 3 - adult standing

Nest 5 - nothing visible

Nest 6 - adult sitting

Nest 7 - 2 chicks (or £3?)

Nest 12 - adult sitting most of the day but chicks evident when adult standing

Nest 12A - appears to be empty

Nest 13 - adult in attendance most of the day with chicks

Nest 16 - adults were flying into this area during the day

Nest 17 - no evident activity today

Nest 18 - adults were flying into this area during the day

Nest 19 - no evident activity today

Nest 20 - no evident activity today

Thursday 14th April 

No adult activity until 15.10, then one bird returned to Nest 7, chicks got excited expecting food?

Adult just sat near to nest but made not attempt to feed the young.

Wednesday 12th April 2023 - cool, breezy, dry, cloudy and sun

Nest 1 - empty

Nest 1A - 2 chicks

Nest 2 - 1 chick                                            

Nest 5 - adult standing

Nest 7 - 2 chicks

Nest 12 - adult & 2 chicks

Nest 13 - adult sitting

Nest 15 - adult change over

Nest 19 - adult sitting 

Tuesday 11th April - sunny but breezy

Nest 1 - no bird visible

Nest 1A - 2 chicks min

Nest 2 - adult standing, at least 2 chicks

Nest 3 - adult standing, at least 2 chicks

Nest 5 - adult standing

Nest 6 -  nothing visible

Nest 7 - 3 well grown chicks

Nest 11 - 3 eggs

Nest 12 - 3 chicks

Nest 13 - sitting bird, but should have well grown chicks by now

Nest 14 - now  obsured by new foilage on larch

Nest 15 - bird present

Nest 15A - bird present

Nest 16 - status unknown, chicks heard

nest 18 - calling from this area pm

Nest 19 - no activity seen

Nest 20 - no activity seen

Nest 21 - sitting adult

Nest 22 - adult present

Monday 10th April 

Nest 2 - adult feeding chicks

Nest 3 - adult arrived

Nest 6 - adult standing

Nest 7 - adult standing over chicks

Nest 11 - adult tidying nest, checking eggs

Nest 12 - adult arrived

Nest 17 - adult arrived

Friday 7th April 

Not much activity

Nest 7 - 3 chicks growing fast

Nest 12 - 3 chicks

Wednesday 5th April - cloudy, bright periods 

Nest 1 - adult on eggs

Nest 2 - adult sitting

Nest 3 - adult sitting, 2 chicks

Nest 5 - adult standing

Nest 6 - empty

Nest 7 - adult feeding 3 chicks

Nest 12 - adult sitting, 2 chicks          

Nest 12A - no sighting

Nest 13 - adult sitting

Monday 3th April 

Nest 7 - adult standing

Nest 12 - adult sitting

Nest 16 - adult arrived

11.45 - Nest 7, adult arrived with food, chick feeding

12.05 - Nest 7, 3 chicks

13.47 - Nest 7, adult left chicks unattended

14.23 - Nest 12, 2 chicks

Friday  31st March - rain, overcast

Nest 12 - adult arrived with a fish

Wednesday 29th March - rainy, breezy, cool

Nest 1A - adult sitting

Nest 2 - adult sitting

Nest 7 - only 1 chick seen

Nest 11 - 3 eggs

Nest 12 - adult sitting, 1 chick seen

Nest 12A - bird standing

Nest 13 - adult sitting

Tuesday 28th March - raining

Nest 1 - no activity

Nest 1A - incubating                                                         

Nest 2 - sitting

Nest 3 - sitting

Nest 4 - no acitivity seen

Nest 5 - adult standing

Nest 6 - no activity seen

Nest 7 - 3 chicks

Nest 11 - 2 eggs

Nest 12 - at least 1 chick

Nest 12A - adult standing

Nest 13 - think there are chicks but not confirmed

Nest 14 - nest refurbishment

Nest 15 - bird present - incubating?

Nest 15A - bird present - incubating?

Nest 16 - no activity

Nest 17 - no activity seen

Nest 18 - no activity 

Nest 19 - no activity

Nest 20 - no activity

Nest 21 - no activity

Nest 22 - no activity

A lot of activity mid-morning. Red Kites caused some adult herons to stretch up to keep an eye on them. Buzzard flew over too.

12.00 - Nest 12, adult fed chicks and re-swallowed remains of a large fish

1.35 - nest 3 - changover

Herons seen flying in and out from right hand valley, suspect at least 2 nest in that direction

Friday 24th March - high cloud and sun, windy then rain

Nest 1 - standing bird

Nest 1A - standing bird and joined by 2nd adult briefly

Nest 2 - sitting bird

Nest 3 - sitting bird

Nest 4 - sitting bird

Nest 5 - standing bird

Nest  6 - nothing visible

Nest 7 - 2 chicks clearly visible

Nest 12 - sitting bird

Nest 12A - standing bird

Nest 13 - sitting bird

An adult was seen to fly into the area of Nest 20 during the morning.

There were 3 or 4 adults sitting/standing around te edge of the lake during the day. One was clearly a sub-adult (from last year?)

Wednesday 22nd March - dry, sunny, breezy

Nest 1 - adult

Nest 1A - sitting

Nest 3 - sitting

Nest 4 - standing

Nest 5 - standing

Nest 6 - standing

Nest 7 - adult & 2 chicks, changover @12.30

Nest 12 - sitting

Nest 12A - standing

Nest 13 - sitting

Nest 14 - adults landing, unable to see nest

Tuesday 21st March - cloudy

Nest 1 - 2 adults standing

Nest 1A - sitting adult

Nest 2 - sitting adult

Nest 3 - sitting adult

Nest 4 - adult showing interest

Nest 5 - standing adult

Nest 6 - standing adult

Nest 7 - 2 chicks fed

Nest 12 - sitting adult

Nest 13 - should have chicks by now but no activity seen

Nest 15 - no activity seen

Nest 17 -  bird sitting

Nest 18 - no activity seen but alarm calls heard when a buzzard flew over

Nest 19 - occupied

Nest 20 - 1 adult seen

Nest 21 - pair, 1 adult standing above

13.45 - Nest 13, 2nd adult flew in

13.30 - Nest 19, 2nd adult flew in

Ravens very active flying over. Buzzard also soaring. Only 1 red kite seen, usually more. 1 heron hunting (for frogs?) down at lakeside

Weds 15th March - bright, cool light breeze

Nest 2 Camera - one standing

Nest 1 - New nest being built by 2 birds

Nest 3 - One visitor

Nest 4 - One just landed

Nest 5 - Empty

Nest 6 - One lying down

Nest 5A - Empty

Nest 7 - One lying down

Nest 9 One lying down

12.25 -Nest 6 Changeover of sitter

12.45 - Unnumbered nest, tree behind Hemlock - Pair calling

13.45 - Nest 1 -  sticks coming in regularly, Nest 5 - Pair building, Nest 9 - Second bird arrived

14.11 - Nest 9 Changeover of sitter

14.30 - Nest 3 - Second visitor, Nest 9 - Changeover of sitter

Tuesday 14th March

11.15 - 1 buzzard and 1 kite put 8 herons to flight

12.03  - Herons copulating in Nest 2

12.15  - Two stock doves on/around nest box (rhs) 

Friday 10th March - Snowing and sleet

Nest 12 - sitting on nest; some activity on nest

Tuesday 7th March - Overcast, after overnight dusting of snow. Sleet. Sun pm

Nest 17  - 1 adult briefly present

Nest 1 (camera) - 1 or 2 adults occupying from time to time. Don't know if previous pair or a new pair (presume previous)

Nest 2 - incubating

Nest 3 - incubating

Nest 5 & 6 - presumed incubating, but sitting birds not visible

Nest 7 - incubating

Nest 12 - incubating

Nest 13 - incubating

Nest 14 - no activity seen

Nest 15 - incubating

Nest 15A - adult present

Nest 16 - no activity further up valley - incubating?

Nest 17 - 1 adult has taken up residence - believe unpaired

2pm - 2 herons in lake (1 bathing)

2.45pm - 1 adult landed in nest above Nest 1. Twigs brough back to Nest 6 

Friday 3rd March - Cold, overcast, drizzle which passed after midday and started again at 2.25pm

Nest 1 (camera) - Occupied earlier but vacated until about 2pm. Then 2 birds arrived and copulated, but 3rd bird (male) arrived and attacked the mating male.

Nest 2 - standing adult (closely wtched by a perched magpie at 2.15pm)

Nest 3 - sitting bird

Nest 5 - no activity seen

Nest 6 - sitting bird

Nest 7 - sitting bird

Nest 12 - sitting bird

Nest 13 - sitting bird                                                    

Wednesday 1st March - Cloudy, cold, windy, showers

Nest 1 - 1 adult standing

Nest 2 & 3 - empty

Nest 4 - visiting

Nest 5, 6 & 7 - empty

Nest 8 - sitting bird

Nest 12 & 13 - sitting

No other activity observed. Generally very quiet, mostly hunkered down out of the wind.

Tuesday 28th February - Overcast, drizzle am, dry later

Disaster yesterday (caught on camera). Nest 1 - both adults uncharacteristically left nest, with 3 eggs, unattended for 20 minutes. A crow took advantage  - couldn't get a grip on an egg to carry away so broke into one of the eggs and helped itself to the contents. Crow was followed by two magpies who broke into the other eggs. When one adult heron returned it picked up the damaged eggs and flicked them over the edge of the nest. The third egg was more problematic, the shell broke apart and half formed embryo fell out, it took several attempts to get rid of it.

Nest 1 (camera) - empty

Nest 2 - incubating

Nest 3 - incubating

Nest 5 - pair

Nest 6 - occupied, presumed incubating

Nest 12 - pair

Nest 13 - incubating

Nest 14 - no activity observed

Nest 15 - no activity observed

Nest 16 - no activity observed

1 (presumably unpaired female) heron being rebuffed from various nests

12.30pm - 1 adult from Nest 5 stole a twig from empty nest 1 for it's own nest.

Friday 24th February - Overcast with drizzle 

Nest 1 (camera) - sitting bird with 3 eggs

Nest 2 - no activity

Nest  3 - 2 adults appeared to be working on this nest but spasmodically

Nest 4 - no activity

Nest 5 - no apparent activity

Nest 6 - no apparent activity

Nest 7 - possible sitting bird 

Nest 12 - adult standing on or alongside nest

Nest 13 - adult sitting with 2nd bird in attendance from time to time

Nest 14 - possible sitting birds, positive activity seen later

Nest 15 - adult flew into this approx position but nest activity not seen.

Tuesday 21st February - Overcast, calm                                                 

Nest 1 (camera) sitting  bird with 3 eggs

Nest 2 - pair, nest being refurbished

Nest 3 - 1 adult

Nest 4 - no activity

Nest 5 - pair

Nest 6 -  no activity observed

Nest 7 - sitting bird (incubating) - seen turning eggs

Nest 12 - pair

Nest 13 - sitting bird

Nest 14 - 1 adult standing on tree top

Nest 15 - occupied

Nest 16 - 1 adult seen taking twigs from it and flying off

Lots of herons flying around, bringing twigs back to refurbish nests. At least 2 nest are in the pines to the right of the Deck

Red Kites have been circling around a lot and calling from rear end of the valley. One seen carrying nesting material.

Friday 17th February - Windy, high cloud and some sun

Nest 1 (camera) - sitting bird with one egg

Nest 2 - sitting bird

Nest 3 - no evident activity

Nest 4 - no evident activity

Nest 5 - possible sitting bird (no clear sighting)

Nest 6 - possible sitting bird (no clear sighting)

Nest 7 - possible sitting bird (no clear sighting)

Nest 8 - sitting adult (probably with eggs), kept changing position

Nest 12 - adult flew in but did not remain for long

Nest 13 - sitting adult

Nest 14 - no evident activity

Nest 15 - no evident activity

Tuesday 14th February  - Thick fog

Herons heard calling but impossible to see anything due to the thick fog. As fog burned off possible to see at least 8, possibly 9, nests with at least 1 heron. Several had pairs. Some refurbishment of nests taking place and frequent calling.

Nest 1 (camera) - 1 adult

Nest 2 - 1 adult

Nest 3 - 1 adult                                                                              

Nest 5 - pair

Nest 6 - pair

Nest 7 - pair

Nest 8 - unsure if occupied

Nest 12 - 1 adult

Nest 13 - 1 adult reported

Nest 14 - 1 bird seen perched on tree top

Nest 15 - pair

2.30pm - a new bird arrived. it spent some timestanding and observing activity. Tried approaching one or two nests but got chased off.

Sunday 5th February 

Male and female in Nest 5A mating