moorhen killed by heron? (1 Viewer)

[marciapartridge]

I love birds of all kinds, but am not someone who knows much about them so please excuse me if I sound ignorant! I wanted to ask if Herons can kill an adult moorhen?
For several weeks now two moorhens have made a nest on a flat rock in the beck just near my house. The beck can get very rapid and high when there is a lot of rain, so I was concerened for any chicks that may be born and would be swept away if this happened; but my biggest concern was because of the local heron! Two years ago the heron killed 12 baby ducklings.

Anyway, around 6am this morning I was woken by the most awful, awful sounds coming from the beck and I knew it was probably to do with the heron. Sure enough, the heron was near the moorhen nest and flew off when I opened the window. After work when I looked again (several hours later), there was only one moorhen and it was trying to re-build the nest.
I never did see any eggs, so wondered would a heron really kill a moorhen?
Also, will the single moorhen find a new mate? If so, how long will it take?

Thanks for the help

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

I can't answer your question but hopefully, someone from your neck of the woods will be by shortly with some suggestions for you.

 

[Lmc3598]

Hi and welcome to BF
Grey herons are known to take larger prey items. These include rabbits, water rails, moorhens and occasionally ducks. Im sure there are more. They are surprisingly good bird catchers, they are know for small fast birds such as starlings and warblers as well

 

[delia todd]

Hi Marcia and a warm welcome from me too

I think Herons would be capable of taking an adult Moorhen, but it wouldn't normally happen (unless they're sick) as they'd be too wary. The eggs and chicks are a different matter though.

D

 

[marciapartridge]

thanks

Wasn't expecting replies so quickly!

Well, just before it went dark there was still only one moorhen on the nest and there have been two for months, so it looks like it has been killed - It was certainly the heron, as it was flying away from the nest as I opened the window.

I'm thinking now that in the morning I may be woken by the second moorhen copping for it as it will be even more vulnerable!!! It's such a shame, but that's nature I guess.

If it does survive, will it have a chance to mate again this year?

 

[marciapartridge]

By the way - thank you all for my welcome!

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum! I am sure that you will find lots to interest you here, and I hope that you enjoy your visits.

 

[robinm]

Hi and welcome to BirdForum :t:

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Hi marciapartridge
Welcome to bird forum and I hope that you enjoy things here.
A grey heron as has been said would only really be able to take an adult moorhen if the moorhen was injured or sick already. Not so the eggs and the chicks, the heron could take those very easily
This is the thread for all things Yorkshire

Yorkshire Birding

Keep a look out for threads starting Tyke Meet or Yorkshire Meet, they are detailing when and where the Yorkshire BF members are next having a birding session.

We hope you'll join in with the threads and maybe come along to one of the Meets.

 

[Fritz73]

Welcome to Birdforum.

 

[marciapartridge]

Well, I'm happy to say that over the last couple of days one moorhen and 5 chicks are looking well, so there must have been eggs that I couldn't see and possibly the 'lost' moorhen tried to scare the heron off and ended up getting injured/killed?
Hopefully the others will survive - thanks all for your help : )

 

[marciapartridge]

Hi marciapartridge
Welcome to bird forum and I hope that you enjoy things here.

Keep a look out for threads starting Tyke Meet or Yorkshire Meet, they are detailing when and where the Yorkshire BF members are next having a birding session.

We hope you'll join in with the threads and maybe come along to one of the Meets.

Thankyou, I will keep my eyes open!