Late Layer? Second Brood?

grey heron

I have been told by Herronwatch volunteers that a very unusual occurance has taken place recently.

Whilst they were watching two heron fledglings preparing to leave the safety of a nest, an adult pair arrived, turfed off the fledglings and promptly took over the nest! Very soon an egg was laid (maybe more by now) and the adults are clearly now sitting on eggs that they fully expect to hatch!

By the time the new young herons are ready to fledge, it will be September/October - which will leave very little time for the younster(s) to put on sufficient weight to see them through the winter.

This is highly unusual behavior - none of the Heronwatch volunteers that I have spoken to have heard of heron eggs being laid this late..so they will watch and learn..and keep the British Trust for Ornithology informed of progress.