Country Diary: The Messy Chaos of Nesting Herons in Stranmillis Woods, Belfast
In the serene woods of Stranmillis University College in Belfast, a robin's song fills the air, and moonlight filters through the trees. These woods host a breeding colony of grey herons, whose once-constant yells were a staple of the dawn chorus. Today, however, the quietness of an established heron nest high in a beech tree signals good news. Herons are known for sharing parental care, and one of the pair is diligently brooding a clutch of eggs, right on schedule for these early breeders.
Storm Damage and Nest Building
Another heron calls out as it swoops through a gap in the trees. The intense storms that preceded this year's breeding season felled several trees, disrupting traditional nest sites. The incoming heron lands in a nearby pine tree, where its mate guards a messy bundle of twigs. This pair is still in the process of building their nest. Both male and female herons sport long black crest feathers and lacy plumes on the throat and back, but in this instance, identifying the sexes is straightforward. The male preens his mate before mounting her, resulting in a few seconds of wing-flapping, squirming, and tail-wagging. After he slides off, the female tucks her bill into her breast feathers and closes her eyes.
Parental Duties and Disturbances
The male fusses at the nest before flying over to the beech tree. He walks along a lower branch, pulling at twigs to break them. The rising sun highlights the rosy flush of his legs and the burnt orange of his bill, colours that will fade to greyish-yellow after the breeding season. As he flaps back and forth with sticks of various sizes, his mate screeches her approval. In between, she fidgets the new material into the nest. The male in the beech tree causes so much disturbance that concerns arise for the egg-laden nest above him. Eventually, that heron stands up, braces both wings above its back, and gently prods its bill to turn its clutch.
Daily Rhythms and Colony Life
As the sun climbs higher, harsh cries throughout the woods announce more herons returning to their nests. The beech tree brooder, still awaiting its mate, has long since settled back into the twiggy depths. At last, relief arrives. Both herons salute each other with raised crown feathers, but busy parents cannot delay. The alighting bird steps straight into the nest, while the brooder flies off to hunt, likely for most of the day. This bustling activity underscores the messy yet fascinating chaos of nesting herons in this vibrant spring colony.
