Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea - hunting

Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea - hunting on the bankside of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Heron can become very habituated to people and will tolerate an approach to several meters.

This heron was on the canal side opposite a well used foot path. I photographed in full view of the bird for several minutes. Habituation could be a deciding factor for grey herons in a warming world as their white cousins are encroaching on their territory. Birds like feral pigeons have adapted very successfully from a species, the Rock Dove, that is a cliff dweller.