A few days ago, we visited Westfield Pill. Bird-wise it’s generally pretty quiet, but this is the time of year when the heronry there is in full swing. Several pairs are in their nest, some may have already incubated eggs, others are still displaying and/or building a nest.
A bird flew in with a long stick that looked like a bad thing to pass to its mate in the nest. After several minutes, in what almost seemed like a tug-of-war session, the stick was eventually taken by the bird in the nest.
Both storks then kind of cuddled up together and rested for a short while. The stick was just left on the edge of the nest, which didn’t seem to matter. It was probably placed in the nest fabric later.
The Westfield Pill heronry is relatively easy to watch from a distance, as the birds are probably used to people on the footpath opposite the pill. Elsewhere, storks are less accustomed to people and thus easily disturbed.
There are several other known regularly occupied heronries, and their nests have been counted over the years. They are in: Bosherston, Cych Valley, Llys-y-fran, Millin Pill, Priskilly, Sealyham, Upton and Velindre Farchog (the latter requires a counter).
Other sites, especially those with only one or two pairs (including some that are not occupied each year) are likely to be missed. If you know of a heronry elsewhere, please let us know by [email protected] sor that it may be added to the heronry register.
