Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Common resident, occasional migrant with 14,000 pairs breeding in Britain & Ireland plus 60,000 wintering.

Also breeds in Europe except the north east, through Indonesia & Sub-Saharan Africa.

Adults have a white with whisky crest at the back of the nape.

They also sometimes show a black shoulder patch.

At the beginning of the breeding season, the bill is very red in colour.

The main call is a fimilar loud croaking "fraaank" giving in flight.

Juveniles & Sub Adults are greyer than the Adults.

Flights are tyipcal hunched back posture.

It's the only Heron that's nests in Britain.