Woolacombe Night Herons

Arrived ‘on site’ 3.30 where we were welcomed by the friendliest of owner , updating us on the herons’ movements and kindly inviting us into her expansive garden – with large pond at bottom level. A fleeting glimpse of the juv. occurred about a half hour later but just after 6pm an adult flew out of a ditch and into a thickly branched tree where, although partially obscured, it was observed preening. Ten minutes had elapsed when unexpectedly it dropped to the ground and stalked into the open affording us small band of hardy and jubilant birders the most superb view...

[Stewart Beer]

 Photo by Brian Palmer

Ed - this is one bird where a bit of 'red-eye' in the photo would have been quite appropriate! GH