Homes For Herons    

Update: Thanks to you - we did it! 

For the second year, we’re taking part in UK’s biggest online match funding campaign - The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2018! This time our project is called Homes For Herons, and aims to raise vital funds to support these incredible species in the county!

Forty years ago there were just two heron species across the whole of the UK - now there are seven on the Avalon Marshes alone. Although this is fantastic news, the future of this diverse family of birds is far from secure and we need to ensure their habitats are protected.

If we raise £10,750 in online donations between midday on Tuesday 27th November to midday on 4th December - this total will be doubled to make an incredible £21,500 - an amount that will have a lasting impact on the future of the heron species.

About the project 

The Avalon Marshes are not only one of the finest remaining lowland wetlands in Britain but are internationally important for the amazing species you can find here. The rare herons like Bittern, Great White Egret and Night Heron that are living and breeding here are only found in a few places in Britain, so it is vital that we can continue to provide their ideal habitat.

If successful in raising the funds, the project ‘Homes for Herons’ will provide vital improvements to heron habitats on the Avalon Marshes, and provide better access to the more remote areas of its reserves. Through new technology we will be able to Monitor the herons and identify successful breeding pairs, as well as continuously review heron populations. With the help of cameras that can blend into reedbeds, we will be able to capture footage of  the herons that we can show to people who aren't able to access the reserves themselves. 

It is hoped that this work will also increase the chance of breeding success for both newer heron arrivals like the Black-crowned Night Heron and Great White Egret, as well as more established heron species on the Avalon Marshes.

What to remember