A visiting heron pestered from its perch

I saw this heron landing on the top of the ash tree at the bottom of the garden and went to get a camera. They don't often appear on the tree, more often just flying up the valley from the River Frome to a small pond on our tributary, the Lime Brook.

This perch is favoured by all birds; crows, pigeons, woodpeckers, goldfinches and as happened two days ago a jay. The magpies are belligerent and this one didn't want the heron's company so perched near its feet and started nipping away at the long legs. It only took a few pecks and the heron flew off as you can see, heading back down the tributary valley towards the river.