Grey Heron

I went back to the brook this afternoon for a Kingfisher stakeout.  I hadn't been there since before Christmas and I wondered if everything would still be in place. I need not have been concerned, it was as if I had never been away and I quickly tucked myself inside and hoped that I would be lucky.  I sat motionless for at least an hour and as the light started to go - and just when I thought I wasn't going to have any luck whatsoever - suddenly the resident Grey Heron flew in, landed on the grass bank and walked towards the water.  It stayed in the brook for around 10 minutes and I got the impression that it realised that there was no prey and then flew off again to try elsewhere but not before I had taken some nice images even in the failing light.  Grey Herons are described as the UK's largest predatory bird, they are massive, standing 3 feet tall and with a wingspan of 6 feet.  They are formidable predators and will eat anything that they can grab, this includes fish of course but they will also take small birds up to moorhen size including water rails, ducklings, rats, mice etc. and they have even been photographed eating small rabbits. I guess they would take a Kingfisher if one came close enough, that would be a fantastic photo opportunity and I hope I never get the chance!!   Like I said nothing is safe.  They have a very calm hunting strategy, watching and waiting motionless for extended periods before suddenly extending the long neck to grab their prey.