Report on The National Census of Heronries 1954

1.In 1 954 a census of all known heronries in the British Isles was organised by the British Trust for Ornithology.The census was not as complete in Scotland as in England and Wales, while in Ireland it was only partial.2. 6,225 occupied nests were reported in the British Isles, distributed in 52o heronries.Of these, 4,708 occupied nests in 301 heronries were in England and Wales, an increase of 19% on the total returned in the national census of 1928.3. 46% of heronries in England and nearly 56% of those in Wales contained between 2 and io nests.84% of Scottish heronries contained 10 nests or less.The average sizes of heronries in Britain are given.4. Only I % of all the nests for which the nest site was stated in England, Wales and Ireland were not in trees.In Scotland the figure was Io%.In England and Ireland a majority of nests was situated in broad-leaved trees ; in Scotland and Wales the position was reversed.The commonest broad-leaved trees used in England, Wales and Ireland were Oak, Beech, Ash, Elm and Alder.The commonest conifers were Scots Pine, Spruce and Larch.5. The Index of Heron Population for 1954, based on the old standard, was i11, an increase of 7% on the 1953 index.Comparedwith the new standard the index was io8, an increase of 4% on 1953.A comparison of the number of nests counted in 178 heronries in both 1953 and 1 954 shows an increase of 4% in 1954.A comparison of the number of nests in 131 heronries which were counted in 1928 and 1954 indicates an increase of 12% on 1928.