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Reader leaps to the defence of the Grantham Garden Gobbler
Monday, 12.30 - A Journal reader has leapt to the defence fof Grantham Garden Gobbler - the mischevious fish-stealing heron.
Monday, 12.30 - A Journal reader has leapt to the defence fof Grantham Garden Gobbler - the mischevious fish-stealing heron.Click here to see our interactive map of Gobbler sightings.
%%Could not get body element policy for VersionedContentId(1.9012.UNDEFINED)Tina Negus of Dale Road, Grantham, says herons deserve our respect and should not be victimised in the press.
She writes:
"I am surprised by the recent hate-mail against herons, and even more astounded that the Journal appears to be encouraging it!
"Herons are wonderful birds, I am always happy to see one.
"They are primarily fish-eaters (+ frogs etc). They have no choice in this, it is how they are designed. We as humans, tend to "take sides" in the laws of the food-chain - we love bluetits, so we hate sparrow-hawks.
"A heron needs to eat, and if garden fish are available, then they will eat those. Wouldn't you?
"If we wish to keep fish in garden ponds, and don't want them to be re-cycled into heron, then a good mesh would be the answer. A reminder - herons are protected, and deserve our respect.
"Can we please hear no more derogatory words (Gobbler etc) about herons?"
What do you think? Does the heron deserve our respect. Click here to e-mail us.
Monday: 1040am - YET more readers have spotted the Garden Gobbler, Grantham's notorious fish-stealing heron.
Click here to see our interactive map of Gobbler sightings.
The heron has been spotted all over the area - and the Journal has reported many incident of it stealing tropical koi from garden ponds.
Melissa Stratton e-mailed in to tell us: "This is the first chance I have had to e-mail but we saw the heron on Monday August 27 at Woolsthorpe by Belvoir.
"It was sat in one of the fields.When we reversed up to take another look he took flight and moved to the next field still within our view.
"Koi owners may not agree but he is magnificent.
"We also saw him some time ago flying over Belvoir Castle when they had their Kennel Open Day."
And Naomi Dufree has spotted what she thought was the Gobbler in a garden in Winchester Road, Grantham.
She said: "This more docile cousin of the notorious garden gobbler was seen in a pond in Winchester Road, Grantham, at the weekend.
"I couldn't believe how tame it was.
"We got really close to it, and it didn't even flinch"
You can see her picture of the 'heron' in our gallery on this page.
Have you seen the Grantham Garden Gobbler? Click here to e-mail us your sightings.
Or call our Gobbler Hotline on 014766 562291.
Click here to see our interactive map of Gobbler sightings.
Helpful heron links:
The RSPB's page on herons, including a recording of its call!
Tips on keeping herons off your bird table.
The Wikipedia page on herons
The Birds of Britain heron page.
Sudden influx of exotic herons!
Herons forever in the USA.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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