2022 Season

First adults were seen at the end of January. Others started arriving early February, with first pairs formed. First copulation noted 3rd Feb. Now that the herons are using trees on the far side of the lake as well as the usual group it is far more difficult to count nests and know how many chicks hatched and fledged. The location of some nests only became apparent after hatching when feeding flights commenced.

There was a slight pause in nests being occupied due to the several severe storms during February. Those already incubating stayed put but others departing for a couple of weeks. By 1st March definitely 10 nests (minimum) with early eggs beginning to hatch. First hatching on camera (Nest 2) weekend of 12/13th March - 4 chicks which reduced to 2 which fledged.

Nest 7 involved a pair which copulated numerous times but no eggs were laid and pair eventually departed. A new pair occupied Nest 7A (newly built) and started a clutch late March, later deserted after one chick hatched (chicks and adults disappeared - predation of chick?).

Breeding season extended longer than usual Feb-March laying period, with new clutches started in April and May with a new pair taking over Nest 7A and hatching two chicks late May. Even now, in mid June, we are being made aware of new nests in trees to right of Deck (chicks heard 21st June) which is very late. Last year we had a nest in June/July in this area.

Chicks were very reluctant to fledge, staying in nest well beyond the usual 6 weeks. Very difficult to say how many fledged, best estimate 16+ from 16+ nests

21st June 2022

Hot and sunny

Nest 7A - still 2 chicks. Attending adult sometimes moving to Nest 8 (to avoid being bothered?)

Another probable nest (20) has been spotted in trees to rear of Decking. One adult can be seen standing and occasional sounds of chicks calling but difficult to pinpoint.

Nest 19 - adult standing. Chicks have probably started hatching but too small to be seen.

16th June 2022

Hot, sunny, broken cloud.

Nest 7A - chicks seem well but one is growing faster than the other.

My observations from 15th June appear to be incorrect. There are 2 birds on Nest 19, one of which stays on nest while the other robs sticks from Nests 4 & 6. It is not, as I thought, landing near to Nest 19 but on its edge handing sticks to bird in nest which seems to be very skilful in nest building. Today it was constant back and forwards for about 2 hours.

15th June 2022

Chicks in 7A progressing well

1 adult sat on new Nest (19?)

1 adult taking sticks from Nest 4 & 6, thought to be taking them to new nest but managed to see it land twice on tree to left of new nest. New sticks were not offered to Nest 19 but appear to be used as another new nest, cannot be sure as view obstructed by foliage.

10th June 2022

Warm, sunny withsome cloud

Nest 7A - adult standing alongside 2 chicks, now 2 weeks old

12.45 - adult flew into teh area around Nest 6, remained there for 2/3 minutes and then flew across to Nest 19. The same or another adult was gathering twigs and taking them up into the pine tressa slightly further over from Nest 19. It them flew into Nest 1 and then across to Nest 3 where it collecte dtwigs and tooke them across to Nest 19 adjacent area.

13.00 - 2 adults flew from Nest 6, one landed on Nest 7 the other flew south

14.50 - adult from Nest 7A flew down to fallen tree in the lake, leaving the chicks unattended. Shortly after a second adult arrived and stood adjacent to Nest 7A but made no attempt to feed the chicks. this remained the position at 15.00

7th June 2022

Sunny and warm

Nest 7A - parent on nest with 2 visible chicks

Best far left of Deck - 1 heron sitting

31st May 2022

Intermittant rain.

Lake active but nests quiet.

Nest 7A - chicks head visible

26th May 2022

Bright sunny with a cool breeze

Nest 7A appears to be the only operational nest. Sitting adult standing from time to time enabled sight offirst new chick. A total of 7 fledglings were seen around the lake, moving around from one side to the other during the course of the day. 

During the day 1 fledgling returned to Nest 6 for a short time and 1 returned to Nest 8 for a short time.

An adult sat on the fallen silver birch (in the lake) from 11.00 to 15.00 (might be longer) and did not do anything. No attempt to feed any of the fledglings around it.

25th May 2022

Nest 3 - 1 chick returned

Nest 4 - 1 chick returned

Nest 5 - 1 chick returned

Nest 5A - 2 chicks

Nest 6 - 1 chick

Nest 7A - still sitting

Nest 8 - 2 chicks

Nest 9 - Has been visited

Nest 19 - Adult nest building

One chick at bottom of pine trees under Nests 5 & 6

1pm - Nest 2, 1 chick being fed by adult

1.40pm - Nest 5A, 2 chicks being fed by adult

2.30pm - Nest 7A, Adult change over

24th May 2022

Spasmodic sunshine

Nest quiet, little activity

20th May 2022

Rain until 13.00,then sun and cloud

Nest 2- Chicks still staying at home. Parent bird returned approx 12.15 and disgorged a whole large fish. chicks fought over it and one got the bulk.

Nest 3 - 1 standing chick, but flew to Nest 6 when returning adult brough food back.

Nest 4 - Empty

Nest 5 - Empty

Nest 5A - 1 standing chick

Nest 6 - 1 standing chick and going on walk about below nest

18th May 2022

Sunny and hot

Nest 3 - 1 chick standing

Nest 5A - 2 chicks standing

Nest 6 - 1 chick lying

Nest 7A - 1 adult sitting

Nest 8 - 2 chicks standing

Nest 19 - 1 adult

17th May 2022

Sunny

More chicks have become fledglings at last

Chicks/fledgings still in Nests 2,3,4,6 & 8

Nest 7A - still incubating

Nest 19 - Last week nest being constructed, this week adult incubating

Nests 17 & 18 - Apparently empty so believe have fledged

Several fledglings around the side of the lake, plus an occasional adult

12.55 - Nest 6, adult returned to feed the 2 fledglings

Some fledglings doing wing flapping and short flights from time to time

13.50 - Nest 6, second adult returned to feed fledglings

14.00 - Nest 7A, changover plus some stick bringing

14.07 - Nest 9, adult dropped in amd appeared to be picking over the nest, grabbed a stick and took it back to Nest 7A then went to Nest 12 and did the same

15.15 - Nest 6, yet another feed. Oldest fledgling had to rush back to nest

10th May 2022

Overcast, some heavy rain

Nest 2 - 2 chicks, one has made a first flight. Fed at 11am

Nest 3 - 1 chick wing flapping, 2nd chick appears to have fledged

Nest 4 - 1 chick left, wing flapping

Nest 5 - still 2 large chicks

Nest 5A - still 2 large chicks

Nest 6 - 2 chicks. 1 spending most of the time perched on very top of tree, the other clambering around in and out of nest

Nest 7A - still incubating

Nest 8 - 2 chicks. Fed at 12.45

Nest 9 - no activity, chicks fledged?

Nest 10 - adult returned 1.15pm but no chicks in nest or fledglings flying back. After 10 minutes adult flew off

Nest 12 - no activity

Nest 13 - no activity seen

Nest 14 - no activity seen

Nest 15 - nest appears to be empty, presume chicks have fledged

Nest 16 - no activity, not sureif still active

Nest 17 - newly discovered

Nest 18 - newly discovered

Nest 19 - 2 adults noisily engaged inconstructing new nest. Can be glimpsed from usual scope position or from far right end of decking

At least 2 fledglings down at lakeside mid morning

2pm - Nest 6 - adult returned to feed chicks

Fledgling from Nest 8 flew onto very top of hemlock

2 fledgings back in Nest 15

Adult stole twig from unused nest to take back to Nest 9 which had appeared empty 

Another fledging appeared on top of tree to right of that containing Nests 10, 13 & 14

May 4th 2022

Overcast

Nest 2 - 2 chicks standing

Nest 3 - 1 chick standing on nest, 1 nearby

Nest 4 - 1 chick standing

Nest 5 - 2 chicks standing

Nest 6 - 2 chicks standing. Adult feeding 11.45

Nest 7 - 1 adult standing

Nest 7A - 1 adult sitting

Nest 8 - 2 chicks

Nest 9 - 2 adults and chick

Nest 10 - vacant

Nest 12 - 1 chick standing and adult

Nest 14 - 1 chick

3rd May 2022

Overcast

Nest 2 - 2 chicks still not fledged

Nest 3 - 2 chicks. Fed at 11.20

Nest 4 - 1 chick. 2 chicks last week

Nest 5 - 2 chicks

Nest 5A - 2 large chicks

Nest 6 - 2 chicks, now clambering out of nest but not yet fledged

Nest 7 - vacant

Nest 7A - having been deserted several weeks ago, this morning occupied by an incubating bird

Another adult investigating the old nest below 7A

Nest 8 - 2 chicks

Nest 9 - adult standing above nest

Nest 10 - no activity seen

Nest 11 - vacant

Nest 12 - adult standing above nest

Nest 13 & 14 - no activity seen

Nest 15 - 2 chicks, wing flapping

Nest 16 - no activity seen

12.10 - an adult heron having gained some height prceeded to engage in acrobatics, swooping down and then up again - display flight?

Wing flapping occasionally observed by chicks in Nest 2,3,4 & 5A

13.10 - Nest 5A, chicks fed, continued calling for sometime as adult was perched not far away but in view

13.30 - Nests 9 & 12, both standing adults moved into nests to feed chicks. Nest 2, both chicks exploring outside the nest

14.15 - Nest 4, chick fed, definately only 1 chick now

14.20 - Nest 5, chicks fed, younger chick trying to get its share from older chick

14.22 - Nest 8, chicks fed

14.32 - Nest 15, wing flapping observed by 2 chicks

26th April 2022

Sunny, occasional cool breeze

Nest 2 - still 2 well grown chicks, now 6 weeks old, should be actively wing exercising and taking their first flight

Nest 3 - 2 chicks, should have taken their first flight by now (they are older than Nest 2)

Nest 4 - 2 chicks, should have taken their first flight by now (they are older than Nest 2)

Nest 5 - 2 chicks

Nest 5A - 2 chicks minimum

Nest 6 - 2 chicks, 7 weeks old, why haven't they taken their first flight

Nest 7 - 1 egg observed yesterday but not incubated, today no egg visible and no adult present

Nest 7A - presumed abandoned

Nest 8 - 1 young chick present, no adult so therefore about 2 weeks old

Nest 10 - no activity seen

Nest 11 - presumed abandoned, no activity for many weeks

Nest 12 - adults head seen

Nest 13 - no activity seen

Nest 14 - no activity seen

Nest 15 - 2 well grown chicks wing flapping 

Nest 16 - no activity seen

Active wing flapping noted in Nests 3,4,15 & 6

Nest 3 - oldest chick clambered up to top of tree, having a good look around

2.15 - Nest 12, changeover, chicks heard

2.20 - Nest 6 - chicks fed

20th April 2022

Sunny, breezy and cold

Nest 2 - 2 chicks

Nest 3 - 2 chicks

Nest 4 - 1 chick

Nest 5 - 3 chicks, 1 adult

Nest 5A - 3 chicks

Nest 6 - 2 chicks flapping

Nest 7 - empty

Nest 7A -empty

Nest 8 - 1 chick

Nest 12 - 1 adult flew in

19th April 2022

Bright and sunny

Nest 2 - 2 chicks

Nest 3 - wing flapping observed

Nest 4 - chicks should start wing flapping soon

Nest 5 - 1 large chick present

Nest 5A - 3 chicks visible

Nest 6 - still 2 well grown chicks, one started wing flapping

Nest 7 - 1 adult present

Nest 7A - no sign of chicks or adults, what happened?

Nest 8 - adult present, 2 chicks (quite small)

Nest 9 - activity

Nest 10 - adult flew in 11.20

Nest 11 - no recent activity, abandoned?

Nest 12 - adult present, think there are chicks

Nest 13 - adult head seen emerging from nest

Nest 14 - no activity noted

12.05 - adult flew into Nest 6 to feed chicks

12.30 - adult flew into Nest 4

13.20 - Nest 2, adult flew in to feed, now an obvious size difference between chicks

13.30 - a heron flew into a tall tree almost behind hemlock. This revealed the presence of two more nests.

Nest 15 - 2 birds visible-chicks?

Nest 16 - changeover-chicks?

14.20 - Nest 3, adult brought in food

14.37 - Nest 12, adult returned with food

14.55 - Nest 6, adult returned with food

15th April 2022

Warm bright sunny day

There has been a fairly consistent coming and going of adult birds but no actual feeding of chicks has been witnessed.

Nest 2 - 2 remaining chicks growing well

Nest 3 - chicks

Nest 4 - adult in attendance, chicks not seen

Nest 5 - adult in attendance, 2 chicks clearly visible

Nest 6 - 2 well grown chicks visible

Nest 7 - adult hunkered down most of the time but second adult in attendance from time to time

Nest 7A - adult in attendance and very young chicks seen occasionally

Nest 8 - adult in attendance, well grown chicks visible

Nest 12 - adults coming and going during the day

13th April 2022

Dry, overcast, some sun, warm        

Nest 2 - 2 chicks half grown

Nest 3 - 2 adults, 2 chicks visible

Nest 4 - adult attending, 2 chicks

Nest 5A - adult standing

Nest 6 - 2 chicks

Nest 7 - 2 adults, 1 sitting

Nest 8 - adult standing

Nest 9 - adult standing

Nests 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 - no activity seen

12th April 2022

Sunny, hot then cloudy

Nest 2 - 2 well grown chicks

Nest 3 - chicks big enough to be left alone

Nest 4 - chicks big enough to be left alone

Nest 5 - 1 well grown chick

Nest 5A - adult behaving as if chicks have hatched

Nest 6 - minimum of 2 well grown chicks

Nest 7 - constantly copulating but no sign of incubation

Nest 7A - at least 1 tiny chick

Nest 8 - chicks

Nest 9 - adult present with chicks

Nest 10 - adult observed

Nest 11 - may no longer be occupied

Nest 12 - chicks

Nest 13 - no activity

Nest 14 - no activity

1.40 - Nest 3, chicks fed

2.15 - Nest 2, chicks fed

6th April 2022

Overcast and windy

Nest 2 - 2 chicks

Nest 3 - 2 chicks

Nest 4 - adult standing

Nest 5 - adult

Nest 5A - adult sitting

Nest 6 - chick wing stretching and flapping

Nest 7 - adult sitting

Nest 7A - adult

Nest 8 - adult sitting

5th April 2022                                                                                                    

Overcast and breezy

Nest 2 (camera) - down to 2 chicks

Nest 3 - 3 chicks minimum, big enough to be left alone

Nest 4 - chicks

Nest 5 - 1 well grown chick seen

Nest 5A - incubating

Nest 6 - chicks

Nest 7 - incubating with 2nd adult standing above           

Nest 7A - incubating

Nest 8 - chicks (2 min)

Nest 9 - chicks

Nest 10 - still incubating? nothing visible                                         

Nest 11 - not visible

Nest 12 - chicks

Nest 13 - still incubating? nothing visible

Nest 14 - still incubating? nothing visible

 11.25 - Nest 4, changover 

12.30 - Nest 6, 3 chicks fed

12.52 - Nest 10, changover

2.45 - Nest 6, adult returned chicks grabbing adults beak to prompt regurgitation

1st April 2022

High cloud, sunshine, strong wind and cold

Nest 2 - Serious altercation just after 14.00. Two largest chicks started to attack the smallest chick. Adult then attempted to save the smallest chick by lifting it up apart from the nest. It then replaced the chick in the nest but too late, the others attacked it once more. Adult lifted it out of the nest and eventually devoured it. Incredible to see. 3 chicks left by 14.35. The 2 biggest chicks turned their attention to chick no 3. It looks like it is only a matter of time.

Nest 3 - 3 substantial chicks observed. No adult present

Nest 4 - Adult in attendance, difficult to see chicks

Nest 5 - Adult in attendance, difficult to see chicks

Nest 6 - Adult in attendance, merest glimpse of chicks

Nest 7 - Standing adult from 14.00-15.00

Nest 7A - Sitting adult

Nest 8 - Sitting adult.

No activity in area on opposite side of lake.       

30th March 2022

Cold, cloudy and misty

Nest 2 - 4 chicks

Nest 3 - 2 chicks

Nest 4 - 2 chicks seen

Nest 5 - Adults standing/sitting

Nest 5A - Bird sitting

Nest 6 - Adult activity

Nest 7 & 7A - Adults standing/sitting

Nest 8 - No activity

Some activity on trees in distance, possible nests. Lots of chick noise and change over and feeding

29th March 2022

Very cold and overcast

Nest 2 - All 4 chicks doing well

Nest 3 - 3 chicks

Nest 4 - Chicks

Nest 5 - Incubating

Nest 5A - incubating

Nest 6 - Chicks

Nest 7 - Incubating

Nest 7A - Incubating

Nest 8 - Chicks

Nest 9 - Chicks

Nest 10, 13 & 14 - Incubating?

Lots of activity with birds flying around and coming back to feed chicks. One immature bird seen on mobile camera in a vacant nest. Buzzard flew low through valley several times. Herons called out but otherwise took no action.

2.15 - Birds from Nest 7, which had been standing rather than sitting, both flew over to top of pine tree. Copulation observed. Nest 7, left empty, any eggs there will be chilled.

28th March 2022

Lots of activity on Nests 2,3,4,5,5A,6,7,7A & 8. Loud chick noises. More chicks visible and quite large.

Nest 1 - no activity

Nest 2 - 3 chicks visible, 2 large, 1 small. Change over

Nest 3 - 3 chicks visible, quite large, orange beak visible

Nest 4 - 1 chick, standing heron

Nest 5 - 2 chicks

nest 5A - Adult sitting. 1 chick?

Nest 6 - Dead chick hanging under 2 chicks visible

Nest 7 - 2 standing, mating, flying

Nest 7A - Sitting, egg turning

Nest 8 - Sitting bird

25th March 2022

Bright and sunny

A sub-adult bird was present on site for the first hour, perched on the rear side of the lake, changed sides and then disappeared. It reappeared after lunch and was seen devouring frogs on two occasions. There is constant chatter from chicks now. No change overs observed.

Nest 1 - No activity

Nest 2 - 4 chicks growing well

Nest 3 - Standing bird seen undertaking housekeeping

Nest 4 - Standing bird 

Nest 5 - Sitting bird

Nest 5A - Sitting bird

Nest 6 - Standing bird

Nest 7 - Sitting bird, standing from time to time

Nest 7A - Sitting bird

Nest 8 - Sitting bird, standing from time to time

23rd March 2022

Sunny, light cloud, slight breeze

Nest 1 - Empty

Nest 2 - Change over of adults, 1 chick shouting     

Nest 3 - Bird standing

Nest 4 - Bird standing

Nest 5 - Bird standing with chick

Nest 5A - Bird standing

Nest 6 - Bird standing

Nest 7 - Bird sitting

Nest 7A - Empty, 1 sitting later

Nest 8 - Bird sitting

Nests 9, 10 & 11 - Being visited at times

Plenty of aerial movements and 1 bird at waters edge and 1 landed on other side. Plenty of chick calling sounds. Immature heron on lakeside in adjacent tree. Nest 7, mating occurred around 2.30pm. Nest 4, change over at 3.24

22nd March 2022

Hot and sunny. Light breeze

Nest 2 - 4 chicks, but only 3 easily visible                                    

Nest 3 - At least 1 chick

Nest 4 - At least 1 chick

Nest 5 - Bird standing

Nest 5A - Bird standing, then sat to incubate

Nest 6 - Adult standing, at least 1 chick

Nest 7 - Adult incubating, 2nd adult standing nearby

Nest 7A - Adult incubating

Nest 8 - Adult still present

Nest 9 - Not visible

Nest 10 - Not visible

Nest 11 - Change over @ 11.45

1.00 - Nest 3, change over

1.20 - Nest 3, change over

Chicks can be heard calling, we think from Nest 11

Buzzard spent a lot of time perching in tree on far side of the lake

Lot of fidgeting in nests with chicks, Nests 3,4,5,6,& 8

2.00 Immature heron down at side of lake

3.35 - Heron flew into tree on far side. Looking closely there appear to be 3 nests on hemlock arranged in a triangle taking number of nests to a minimum of 13

2.45 - Nest 4, change over

2.50 - Another heron flew in to tree on far side to left of hemlock, Nest 14

21st March 2022

Nest 2 - Change over @ 11am

Nest 7/7A - Egg turning

Most nest sitting birds, flying activity with partners on Nests 3,5 & 7

18th March 2022

Bright and sunny

Nest 1 - No apparent activity

Nest 2 - Change over @ 11.20am but incoming bird did not feed the chicks

Nest 3 - Standing bird pm

Nest 4 - Sitting bird

Nest 5 - Possible adult hunkered down but not readily visible. Became visible @ 2.50pm

Nest 5A - Possible adult hunkered down but not readily visible

Nest 6 - Sitting bird (standing up from time to time)

Nest 7 - Sitting bird with second bird in attendance until 2.25pm when it decided to fly over to the other side of lake and sit in the treetop there

Nest 7A - Both birds standing together and not doing very much

Nest 8 - Sitting bird                                                                      

14th March 2022

Bright and sunny

Nest 2 (camera) - 2 chicks hatched                       

Nest 3 - Occupied

Nest 4 - Occupied

Nest 5 - Occupied

Nest 6 - Occupied

Nest 7 - Sitting

Nest 7A - Copulation observed

Nest 8 - Occupied

Nest 9 - Not visible but believed incubating 

Nest 10 - Incubating - bird glimpsed

Fairly quiet, occasionally birds in Nest 3,5 & 5A seen standing before settling down again

1pm - Nest 7A, 2nd bird returned

1.20pm - Nest 6, changeover

2.15pm - Nest 7, 2nd bird returned, copulation observed

Quite a lot of activity at 7A, more twigs being brought in

2.30pm - Nest 2, changeover, sitting bird moved off a few minutes before relieving, both chicks visible

Another bird (head visible) on one of the nests at back of main trees, we'll call it Nest 11

Total 12 nest so far, but a heron seen flying right disappearing into the thick clump of trees further down the valley. This was the site of a late nest last year so a possible 13th nest.

13th March 2022

Nest 2 - Bird sitting on 3 eggs, 1 chick hatches, can be seen standing

Nest 3, 4, 5 & 6 - Sitting birds. Lots of nest building, twig fetching

Nest 7? - Courtship displays on right hand tree. Much twig fetching

11th March 2022

Grey, high cloud getting lower and windy and tehn light rain

General impression was of a lot of activity during morning with a lot of back and forth with nest material and not just to the two newish nests 7 & 7A

Nest 2 - Sitting bird with no change over

Nest 3 - Sitting bird

Nest 4 - Sitting bird with visit from 2nd bird

Nest 5 - Sitting bird with possible change over

Nest 5A - Sitting bird

Nest 6 - Sitting bird

Nest 7 - Still working on nest with sitting bird after lunch

Nest 7A - Still a lot of work needed on new nest

Nest 8 - Sitting bird with visit from 2nd bird

Nest 9 - Adult bird seen visiting

9th March 2022

Bright sun. Clouds. Cold wind

Nest 2 (camera) - Sitting

Nest 3 - No sign

Nest 5 - One sitting, one standing     

Nest 5A - Sitting

Nest 6 - Sitting

Nest 7 - Sitting

Nest 7A - No sign

Nest 8 - Sitting

Nest 9 & 10 - No activity all day

8th March 2022

Bright and sunny, very cold

Nest 2 (camera) - Sitting bird, turning eggs

Nest 3 - Occupied

Nest 4 - Occupied

Nest 5 - Occupied, pair seen interacting

Nest 5A - Occupied

Nest 6 - Sitting bird seen standing and looking into nest. Hatching believed imminent

Nets 6A - Possibly occupied, glimpsed during windy gusts

Nest 7 - Apparently empty

Nest 7A - Constructed last Tuesday, sitting bird in full view

Nest 8 - Occupied

Nest 9 - No activity notes but nest is well hidden

Nest 10 - No activity seen but known to be occupied

1.55 - Nest 7 & 8, change over

2.00 - Nest 4, eggs turned

2.15 - Nest 9, 2nd bird flew in. Nest 3, sitting bird fiddling with twigs at edge of nest. Nest 7A, 2nd bird flew back in to join partner, copulation observed

2.40 - Nest 5A, bird turning eggs. Nest 7A, male brought back another twig to female for placement

7th March 2022

Cold and windy

Birds sitting on Nests 2, 4, 5, 7 & 8

Very quiet

4th March 2022

Overcast and rain

Nest 1 - Appears to be empty

Nest 2 - Sitting adult

Nest 3 - Sitting adult

Nest 4 - Sitting adult

Nest 5 - Standing adult

Nest 5A - Two standing adults

Nest 6 - Sitting adult

Nest 7 - Two standing adults

Nest 8 - Sitting adult

Nest 9 - Two adults mobile in this area

Nest 10 - Nothing seen

2nd March 2022

Cloud, drizzle/light rain                                                                                         

Nest 1 - Empty

Nest 2 - Sitting

Nest 3 - Sitting

Nest 4 - Sitting

Nest 5 - No sign

Nest 5A - Standing

Nest 7 - 2 standing

Nest 8 - Empty

Nest 9 - 1 standing

Two birds standing on top of trees other side of lake to left of tree with Nest 2 in. Several birds flown in and out recently. Bird on Nest 2 turned eggs around 11.20am

1st March 2022

Dull, drizzly

Nest 1 - Apparently empty

Nest 2 - Sitting bird, eggs turned 11.05am

Nest 3 - Sitting bird

Nest 4 - Sitting bird

Nest 5 - Pair

Nest 5A,(diagonally below 5) - Pair

Nest 6 - Sitting bird. Male bringing small twigs from bracken area

Nest 7 - Pair standing above

Nest 8 - Occupied

Nest 9 (behind 7 & 8) - Occupied

Nest 10 (to right of western hemlock in top of tree) - Occupied

11.35am, Nest 2 - Change over

Nest 7 - New occupants spending most of their time standing above nest site. Are they thinking of starting a new nest above the old nest?

12.30pm - Another heron flew in to stand on last years Nest 7 below the new pair. Some antagonism from second bird on Nest 8. Is this new heron on Nest 7 a bird returning after the storms to a nest they were claiming before the storms?. The pair standing above did not react to the arrival on Nest 7. Also there is a single bird lower down on the right of the same tree ignoring what is going on above.

Nest 8 - Lots of activity with both birds peering into the nest. it was an early nest so hatching imminent.

1.35pm - Nest 6, egg turning

25th February 2022

Bright sunny day                                                                                 

Nest 1 - No activity

Nest 2 - Incubating

Nest 3 - No apparent activity

Nest 4 - Adult bird visible

Nest 5 - No visible activity

Nest 6 - Possible adult hunkered down

Nest 7 - No activity

Nest 8 - Lone male? Still waiting patiently for a partner

New nest other side of lake, pair of adult herons copulating on top of tree

23rd February 2022

Breezy but quiet after several very stormy days. Occasional light drizzle.

Nest 1 - No bird visible

Nest 2 (camera) - Now 4 eggs. Occasionally sitting heron standing up to turn eggs.

Nest 3 - Occasional bird glimpsed

Nest 4 - Sitting bird seen turning eggs

Nest 5 - No bird visible

Nest 6 - Sitting bird seen turning eggs and repositioning to continue incubating

Nest 7 - No bird visible but could be tucked down very low

Nest 8 - Pair present, incubating bird with other standing nearby for most of the morning

Nest 10 - Visible to the right and behind the western hemlock. Bird visible through foliage

Fewer nests occupied than expected. Possibly the tree recent storms have scared some off. Hopefully more nests will be occupied soon.

3.20pm, Nest 10 - 2nd bird flew in. Another heron flew from main group of trees and appeared curious, then flew back to join bird in Nest 4

3.40pm, Nest 9 - (in tree behind Nests 7 & 8) bird seen stretching head up

17th February 2022

13.08 A heron flew into nest 2 and the resident heron flapped and squawked to shoo away the incoming heron

15th February 2022

Rain all day, sometimes very heavy

1.50 Nest 2 (camera) copulation observed. 1 egg already present but not being incubated.

Very little activity due to rain.

Birds observed on Nests 1,2,3,4 6 & 8

11th February 2022                                                                 

Sun and high cloud

Little aerial activity. 

Nest 1 - appears to be occupied

Nest 2 - 2 adults visible                                                                                

Nest 3 - occupied 

Nest 4 - Not visible

Nest 5 - 2 herons visible

Nest 5a - 1 heron

Nest 6 - Appears unoccupied

Nest 7 - 1 heron

Nest 8 - 2 herons visible

3rd February 2022

10.15 - Nest 8,1 bird visible. Nest 6, 2 birds visible. Nest 5, 2 birds visible. Nest 3, 1 bird visible. Nest 2, 1 bird visible.

11.55 - Nest 5, pair actively nest building.

15.00 - Nest 1, bird copulating

15.45 - Flying displays with loud calling from herons present. 

2nd February 2022

9.45 - Birds visible on Nests 1,5 & 6

13.15 - 2 birds repairing Nest 6 both by taking sticks from Nest 8.

1st February 2022

Herons have been seen occasionally over recent days.

10.30 - 2 birds on Nest 6, 1 bird on Nest 8

12.30 - Birds present on Nests 1,5,6 & 8