Grey heron spreads in Saxony

Once endangered, now also native to large cities: the grey heron has spread in Saxony in recent years. The number of breeding pairs rose from around 1,400 in 2020 to around 1,800 last year, according to the State Environment Agency. At the same time, more locations where breeding colonies are located were also recorded.

The grey heron is the second largest native bird after the stork. It feeds mainly on fish and amphibians - which is why it was hunted as a fishing pest in the last century. Its populations declined sharply, but have recovered in Germany since the 1970s.

Grey herons can also be found in cities

The gray heron is usually found near bodies of water. "Where the birds are not frightened off or persecuted, they also use food sources in human settlements such as garden ponds, fire ponds and all forms of flowing water," explained the environmental agency. The zoos in Hoyerswerda, Görlitz, Zittau and Dresden are also home to gray heron colonies.

The grey heron may be hunted in Saxony - but only in the vicinity of fisheries in order to minimize damage. According to the Environmental Agency, a maximum of 230 of the birds may be shot in the state each hunting year.