Herons, Egrets and Bitterns (know the difference!)
Herons, egrets and bitterns are found everywhere (apart from Antarctica) and can be striking grey to muted blue, adapting to both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
Keep at least 50 metres away from wading birds, as flying away wastes energy that could be used for feeding (they need more space at high tide). Keep dogs away, as disturbing nests could cause birds to abandon chicks. Read more on keeping dogs safe at the seaside.
These birds often stand very still, waiting for their next meal. But how do you know which is which?
Herons and egrets both cover great distances, though endangered bitterns (just 200 or so breeding pairs in the UK) are less migratory – but still may move to find food elsewhere. Read more at Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
- Herons (like cranes) perform courtship dances where they stretch their necks, flare plumage and fly in the air.
- Egrets are smaller and less noisy than herons, with white plumage. They are more social and preen each others’ feathers. They tend to prefer wetlands, while herons are sometimes spotted by the coast.
- Bitterns are harder to spot, as they often hide their streaky brown feathers amongst reeds and marshes. These solitary birds live amid dense vegetation, but in spring you may hear their distinctive ‘booming’ call.
Restoring our wetlands is the best way to help wading birds, as it provides natural food and habitat. In recent years, many wetlands have been lost to farming and building, so birds lose their nesting and feeding grounds.
Other issues are water pollution, raw sewage and climate change which changes weather patterns). So support small organic farmers that protect wildlife corridors, and avoid companies that use pesticide, that kill the creatures that wetland birds feed on.
How to Humanely Deter Herons from Ponds
It’s sad to say, but herons do kill fish and ducklings. So if you have a garden pond, herons will try to find them. You have to accept it’s nature. Two possible solutions are tall plants at the edge (to obscure views of fish) and a solar fountain to agitate the water (so herons are less likely to see them).
Dummy herons rarely work (herons hunt together, so think they’ve found a mate). And heron deterrent discs have holes in which hedgehog spikes could get caught. Netting is not recommended, as it can trap birds and wildlife.
