Britain's longest-running bird survey hits the web

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has been counting Grey Heron nests since 1928 and now it has made it easier for its army of volunteer surveyors by allowing them to record their observations on the internet. 

The Heronries Census has covered 400,000 nests since it began. The survey collects annual counts of ‘apparently occupied nests’ in UK heronries and uses the data to monitor the population sizes of both Grey Herons and Little Egrets.

Counts are made at heronries by the BTO’s volunteers. It is one of the simplest surveys and requires no special skills. 

So for 88 years, it has provided an annual estimate of the total UK breeding population of Grey Herons: this is the longest series of such data for any bird species in the world!

Until now, most counts have been mailed to BTO on special cards but, from 25 June, the option of direct online input of data became available to the observers for the first time.

Continued ...

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Photographer Matt Walton captures rare great white egret tussling with grey heron at RSPB Lakenheath Fen

In his latest blog, as he headed off to represent the RSPB at the Wayland Agricultural Show, communications officer David White tells us what’s been seen and photographed at this beautiful Suffolk reserve.

Local photographer Matt Walton was out and about early Froday morning and captured some striking images of the great white egret, having a tussle with one of the local grey herons and coming in to land:

Thank you to Matt for sharing these “great” (sorry, I couldn’t resist!) images with us. The bird was visible from the riverbank for most of the day but it was rather mobile.

Volunteer Les Bunyan also popped in for a walk and our slideshow shows some of the pictures that he took of:

:: A kingfisher at New Fen viewpoint;

:: A black tailed skimmer resting on the path; and

:: A ruddy darter doing likewise.

Thank you very much to Les for sharing these pictures with us.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the reserve, a juvenile common tern was on the washland and a hobby flew over West Wood. A single crane flew over Joist Fen viewpoint and two bearded tits were seen in front of the viewpoint. A stoat was also seen alongside Trial Wood.

Read more:

Large bird spotted using zebra crossing in Thamesmead

10:30am Sunday 25th May 2014 in NewsBy Dan Keel

Large bird spotted using zebra crossing in Thamesmead

Is this a particularly safety-conscious Thamesmead heron?

The grey heron must have read the Green Cross Code and then decided to use the zebra crossing to navigate the busy Cannon Retail Park.

Twitter user @MrTaylan took the picture yesterday afternoon before adding: “What is it about birds in Thamesmead? Always just wandering around car parks.”

This is not the first time Thamesmead has played host to interesting wildlife episodes.

An incredibly rare suacco heron was spotted in Crossness Nature Reserve in June 2007 while an equally uncommon Ferruginous duck sent twitchers crazy in West Lake near Morrisons in February 2012.

Do you know where this picture was taken?

Call the newsroom on 01689 885703 or email dkeel@london.newsquest.co.uk

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11235272.Large_bird_spotted_using_zebra_crossing_in_Thamesmead/