This Should Be In 'twitching' ...

[sunny-dave]

... but more people will see it here.

Astonishing video of a Blue Heron (it's from facebook, but you don't need to have an account or be logged in to see it).

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204262495191468&set=vb.1500784159&type=3

I have never, ever seen the like of this.

[sunny-dave]

Click the HD button for a sharper image.

[Zacs-Master]

Crikey. Deceptively viscous.

[hc4361]

I've seen it on tv documentaries but as I've never been to America or the Caribbean I've never seen one in the flesh

[jno]

you can't stick your head outside your front door these days

[tonyav]

Dave I thought they only ate fish ( obviously this one doesn't ), saw an Heron today flying along the canal that runs next to the factory were I work they look almost prehistoric to me.

[Tilly2]

Blimey! That was amazing. Thanks Dave.

[Sipowicz]

I find that hard to swallow!

[Prudie]

Hmmm,astonishing yes but if I'd been filming I'd have run over to try and save it (gopher?). Not exactly a swift kill.

[Tilly2]

You could see it still wriggling as it was going down the neck.

[hc4361]

This was filmed in London

[cupid04]

They eat frogs too. I've seen a grey heron swallow a frog!

[hc4361]

And a rabbit, in the Netherlands
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1064669/Pictured-The-moment-grey-heron-catches-baby-rabbit-ears-drowns-swallows-thing-whole.html

[sunny-dave]

Crikey - just think what Alfred Hitchcock could have done with a few of these ...

[hc4361]

And a duckling
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2676827/Guess-whats-lunch-Incredible-photos-moment-heron-plucks-baby-DUCK-water-swallows-it.html

Pelican eating a pigeon is my favourite

[sandyRoe]

Nature red in tooth and claw.

[sunny-dave]

'Beak and Claw' I think, Sandy :)