This week, due to our family party, we did not manage to spend long at the pond, although actually visiting is never an issue because it is on the way to our local shops! However this week we did not have the time for a prolonged study so I had the children fit in bits of research for our next bird study around all their activities.
Our Heron is a Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea). I had the children have a read up about the Grey Heron on Wikipedia and the RSPB site. And then they looked over our photos and remembered back to all we had observed. Here is everything they have learned so far about the Grey Heron:
It is a big bird, standing up to 100cm in height and is the biggest bird on our pond:
It has a white head with a black supercillium and long thin crest:
It is a wader:
It stands almost motionless waiting for it’s prey:
It uses it’s long sharp beak to stab it’s prey:
And swallows it whole:
It will also fish in the shallow waters looking for small fish, invertebrates and frogs:
It has a slow wing movement when flying, as if flying in slow motion:
When it flaps it’s wings, they make an M shape:
The Heron flies with it’s legs stretched behind it and their neck in an S-shape which distinguishes them from storks and cranes:
It’s mummy’s favourite bird:
What an incredible nature study. You always impress me.
Thanks Phyllis!
Stunning photo’s 🙂
Thank you Kylie!
Herons are such graceful, beautiful birds! You’re so lucky to have one at your pond.
I think we might have two, although we’ve never seen them together. One looks a lot scruffier than the other one.
I’m with you herons are one of my favorite birds too. They just look so pretty.
They are so majestic as well. Really beautiful.
Oh angelic–what is your name so I can address you respectfully please? Mrs…?
In the meantime, these are beautiful photos and you’re very blessed to have these gorgeous birds stop by your pond. We get the same old Canadian geese year after year, lol. But, now, I am committed to continuously watching our pond for exciting visitors. Now, I cannot believe how high your water level goes: LOL at the bird ‘fishing’ on the ‘no fishing’ sign LOL! Nature is quite spectacular. Thank You for constantly sharing your learning at its finest. Xox Jeanine Can I find you on facebook?
I’m Claire. And before we started our pond study we thought we only had mallards and Canada Geese, so we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the diversity we’ve found!
Thats amazing! More hope !
Thank you dearly for always doing your absolute greatest at responding to followers. Much appreciated…Mrs.Claire 😉
No problem!