11/06/2026
There is a lot of commotion around a Western Reef Heron turning up in Wales.
Our Grey Herons seem to divide people, usually those who have ponds aren’t massive fans, but there is lots to admire in these elegant birds.
They have a specialised feather that turns to powder to clean fish slime from their plumage, they are statue still in hunting Mull’s sea lochs, and are associated with the chivalry virtues of patience and nobility.
They may appear ungainly, but don’t be fooled, historically they are known as a true falconers challenge because of their agility and corkscrew evasive maneuvers.
In Ancient Rome they were “augures”; their call, considered a sign of events to unfold.
This puts me in mind of the Blue-cheeked Bee Eater that turned up on Iona last season. This rare visitor had the ferry full for days with hopeful wildlife watchers.
We know as wildlife enthusiasts ourselves, that the excitement comes from a love of nature and curiosity, but we should ask what this means for those animals that are so far off course, lost, likely mateless, and could our presence be pressuring a bird that has already undergone a lot of stress.
There are scores of successful migrants too of course, but this is a post just for the humble herons, who I think look as though they’d approve of us asking these questions and staying curious.
