It's not surprising that ducks and swans hang out in the marina. But we don't really know what the heron is doing here. At least he (she?) comes almost every day this time of year and walks around the piers.
What does the heron do in the marina?
According to Wikipedia, the heron is a relatively common bird in the area from Mälardalen and southwards. But I still find it a bit difficult to understand what he/she is doing here? Herons like to nest in tall trees and feed mainly on fish.
They stand still in shallow water and then quickly pick up fish that swim by. But this is quite difficult to do here, where the water around the piers is deep. In fact, I have not seen the heron looking for food either. He/she usually just lands on one of the piers and walks around a bit ...
Not particularly shy
The heron has a certain amount of privacy, and you can't get too close. But honestly, he/she is not particularly afraid either. The other day when I was going home, the bird stood in the middle of the road and was in no hurry to be careful.
Only when there were two metres between us did he/she start to move slowly to the side... Do you have herons where you live or do you know anything about herons? Why do you think our heron friend likes to hang out with us here on the piers?
An elder on the heron
Here is an older photo of the heron. Of course, we can't be sure it's the same heron, but it feels like it. It has its favourite spots on the piers, where it hangs out year after year.
Mr Steve says:
It is interesting with many birds that stay in the same place year after year. We have a raven, a goshawk and some woodpeckers that always spend some time at Getingstorp. This year we also have a newcomer among the guests - a barn owl.
However, our friends are not so easy to capture on film.
28 June 2016 - 6:22
Lennart says:
Nice guest!
28 June 2016 - 6:28
Matts Torebring says:
She/he probably just wants to become a celebrity and let people know it exists. Then it has come to the right place! Surely there is someone to feed it.
28 June 2016 - 7:15
Ama de casa says:
We have herons here as well, but mostly silk herons. I haven't seen the grey heron that lives there with you down here.
I think it's hanging there with you because it wants to be in the blog. Haha!
🙂
28 June 2016 - 8:18
Diana'sDreams says:
What a cute guest hug
28 June 2016 - 8:46
admin says:
Steve, yes, it is a bit funny, but quite nice, that the same birds return!? Now you have a challenge with capturing your bird guests in pictures! 😉
Lennart, yes I like the heron 🙂
Matts, haha, that must be it!? Yes, maybe someone is feeding it...? I've never seen it, and they probably only eat fish... but it might be offered somewhere too 😉.
Ama de casa, I'm not exactly a heron expert, but the silk heron sounds nice 🙂 And yes, it must be a celebrity-smelling bird, haha 😉 .
Diana's dreams, yes it's nice we think!
28 June 2016 - 9:36
Ditte says:
I have seen herons along the piers at several marinas, boat clubs and on the quays in Stockholm and perhaps just like the seagulls they move into the city. The availability of various food is greater so they return to their "old" places.
In the reeds down in the Karlberg Canal, in front of the castle, there have been herons for "all the years" and they are now spreading out.
Your heron probably enjoys strolling along the piers and posing, seems like a pleasant life.
28 June 2016 - 9:53
Goatfish says:
Blogger 😀 You can name them a neutral name, they want to be a celebrity!
Fun 😉
28 June 2016 - 10:00
Eva says:
HI hi so cute maybe they want some food? fun with birds 🙂 have a nice day 🙂.
28 June 2016 - 10:14
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Birds are quite fun (although I would never want one or for them to come close) especially when you can follow them and see what they do. Bird tables are exciting but I suspect it would be mostly seagulls if you got one.
Herons apparently eat voles and mice too. Something that scurries around on piers and boats?
28 June 2016 - 11:34
Snows says:
We have a lot of herons here, but they are relatively shy and stay away from buildings. But by the streams you can find them.
28 June 2016 - 11:54
Rania {Rowan Tree} says:
Answer: Thank you! I like flowers inside the pot mostly green, easy to care for but an invigorating bouquet now and then is never wrong 🙂 However, they are clearly the most beautiful and fun to photograph when they are out in the open.
28 June 2016 - 12:12
admin says:
Ditte, interesting! Then it may not be so unusual with herons on piers then, but quite nice 😉 .
Geddfish, we have to think about names, hehe.
Eva, yes it is possible? But it feels easier to throw out some bread for the ducks than some fish for the heron, haha.
Emma, voles or mice? I've never seen any, but mice are everywhere... And no, we probably can't get a bird table... 😉.
Znogge, I also thought herons would be shy. But this one has gotten used to it 😉 .
Rania, flowers are most beautiful in the open air 😉.
28 June 2016 - 13:04
Rantamor on the retina says:
Hello, do you know we have a heron couple up here in Borgafjäll too, strange,
but not as tame as your heron mate.
Every summer we are here, we have seen it also this year !!!
I will answer your email later, it sounds nice,
we will be this week here in Borgafjäll, then we will probably move on to Lofoten we have thought this summer.
Right now we were far too anxious to do anything other than fishing, you know the pull in the womb.
Well, now I'm going to start dinner...
one char and two trout dax caught..... not bad at all.
Tjingelingen from Rantamor to father.
28 June 2016 - 17:22
admin says:
Rantamor on Näthinnan, interesting that you have herons up there too, it should be more unusual! It sounds wonderful with Lofoten and fishing! Looking forward to your email 🙂
28 June 2016 - 19:55
Åsa says:
The holidays are coming, as the saying goes....
28 June 2016 - 19:55
BP says:
What nice pictures of the heron. A stately thing if you say so. Herons are found at Råstasjön and a few even here in Hägernäs actually. Logical considering the name;-)
Since he/she is alone, he/she may have become an outcast and is more comfortable around people and boats.
28 June 2016 - 20:25
Role o Carina says:
Many people seem to like you, both on land and in the Blog!
Take care and enjoy.....
28 June 2016 - 22:13
Lena says:
Global climate change phenomenon, poor heron 'floating on clouds for too long' ✨ ? ✨ Passed passport control in a f.
29 June 2016 - 0:00
Cattis says:
Interesting...a heron that is not like other herons, quite simply. ?
29 June 2016 - 0:24
Lotta says:
What a charmer 🙂 Nice visit too!
Thank you for your greeting and nice words, very happy!
Lotta
29 June 2016 - 2:11
Pernilla / Ekoenkelt says:
What a lovely guest!
And what fun to see some pictures from Pampas - I used to live up in Västra Skogen and always stared enviously at all the nice houseboats when I was out for a walk, what a dream like! So fun to see that this is where you are staying! =)
29 June 2016 - 22:46
Steel city anna says:
Herons are beautiful. Surprised that it seems so tame.
30 June 2016 - 2:03
admin says:
Åsa, haha, not quite as clever 😉.
BP, absolutely true, there SHOULD be herons in Hägernäs 😉 And yes... do they often appear in pairs or?
Rolle o Carina, haha, that was a nice interpretation 🙂 .
Lena, is it related to climate change?
Kattis, why be like everyone else when you can be yourself? 😉
Lotta, yes they are a bit charming!
Pernilla, what fun that you lived in Västra Skogen, then you know the Pampas well!
Steel City Anna, well, it's clearly used to people, so to speak.
30 June 2016 - 5:48
felicia says:
really nice pictures
02 July 2016 - 10:01