Bird of the year 2011 - Black-headed Gull

That this noisy gull, seen everywhere, is elected bird of the year 2011 here in Norway may surprise many. The reason is their numbers are going down and they are importent to other spieces.  
Black-headed gull colonies have an important function in the wetlands as "umbrella". The colonies provide protection to other species. Birds as Tufted Ducks, Horned Grebe and different species of wading birds have great advantage of black-headed gull colonies. The gulls decline can in other words have great significance for biodiversity.

Hoover over the colony

Pleeease.......

The lookout

A drink of cool water

I`m sure you heard this before:
Call: http://www.xeno-canto.org/europe/XCspeciesprofiles.php?species_nr2=10582.00

Among the water lilies

A youngster

What we like to see. Securing the aftergrowth.

Resting those wings on drifting ice

Further info on spieces:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-headed_Gull

Videos and pics by others:
http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/common-black-headed-gull-larus-ridibundus

Grey heron

When out canoeing it`s always a welcome sight to discover a grey heron fishing among the reed or moving on broad wings along the shoreline.

In streaming water

With its back against the wind

Longlimbed as it is, landing in trees where it nests, isn`t always graceful

This one sat quietly and studied me, and allowed that I came all the way underneath. I guess this is the last thing the fish see .... would not like to get that beak hammered into my body.

Incoming

Links:

Videos and soundfiles of the Grey heron:
http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/grey-heron-ardea-cinerea 

General info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Heron