Heron & Otter

A solitary grey heron is extremely wary and will fly off displaying its grey, black and white plumage on a 175 – 195 cm. wingspan with its long neck retracted and yellow legs stretched out behind in a distinctive slow ponderous manner.

When not disturbed it can be seen standing stock still by the water’s edge, 90 – 98 cm in height, watching the water for its prey offish and amphibians- with a sudden dart of its bill it will spear passing prey. It generally nests in colonies from February onwards near the tops of trees producing 2-4 chicks which, with their Mohican headdresses, can look quite prehensile.

To see an otter on the bank or in the water is a very rare sighting but possible throughout the Borders. This highly sensitive, 1- 1.3 metre long, semi aquatic mammal can be seen hunting for fish, eels, mammals and even birds in the waterways. Normally hunting by diving underwater downstream but returning on the riverbank or swimming upstream to begin again. Two/three cubs, born in a holt, stay with their mother for up to a year so family groups can be seen.