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Visitor Information: The RPS Gallery and coffee shop will be closed on Saturday 7 December

Heron 1 By Penny Reeves

Nature Group Visit to Verulamium Park

Grey Heron Collecting Nest Materials by Penny Reeves

Heron Flight By Chris Holt
Herons Nest Building 6
Goose In Flight Canada Goose By Chris Holt
Heron In Flight By Chris Holt
Peregrine By Penny Reeves
Herons Nest Building 13
St Albans Extras 7
St Albans Extras
Canada Geese By Paul Benham
Mallard Drake By Paul Benham

A group of 5 Nature group members met at 7.30 am at St Albans to observe and photograph the Heronry that for many years has existed in the centre of the public park. The colony has been greatly reduced in recent years so we approached not really expecting much activity. However, this year there appear to be at least 4 nests and two of them were busy with nest building. The light was excellent giving first-class opportunities to take Herons in flight and collecting nest material. Sometimes they landed in the willow trees and broke off various size branches, sometimes they took them from the ground  (Chris Holt, Ann Miles). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We  were told that Peregrines were to be seen on St Albans Cathedral so some of us went to photograph these - rather distant but such a thrill to observe (Penny Reeves)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The remaining time we photographed further Herons and other lakeside birds 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were plenty of other water birds - Paul Benham took these shots of Mallard and Canada Geese

 

 

 

For more events to attend go to Nature (rps.org)

Below: Canada Goose Attack by Chris Holt

Canada Goose By Chris Holt