A4 Corr Réisc - Heron

A bird we see a lot on our walks in the countryside and in (sub)urban areas. Sometimes the heron is confused with the Crane and in Irish they have a similar name "Grús or Corr". The Corr Réisc is smaller and flies with its neck tucked in. Its much more common than the Crane which has returned to Ireland after becoming extinct on our shores.

(Corr… éisc/ghlas/mhóna)

Corr = projeting point/angle

Riasc = marsh

Iasc = fish

Glás = green

Móin = turf/peat

The heron is known by many folk names in Ireland. Among the most common are Siobhán an bportach (Joanie the bog), Síle na bportach (Sheila of the bog), Júní an scrogaill (Joanie of the long neck) and Máire fhada (long Mary), as well as Molly of the bog. The names are typically feminine, although the bird is known as Big Andy in some parts of Donegal.👩👩‍🦰👩‍🦱

Herons are often considered a bad weather omen. Many maintain that the heron flies about 40 miles inland before a storm.🌧

Flying against the river = rain 

Flying with the river = fine weather

There are numerous accounts of heron oil being used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and backache – and less commonly warts – throughout Ireland.🏥

Commonly found throughout Ireland, usually encountered as solitary birds poised at the waters edge ready to strike. Sometimes found in pairs, although if observing breeding colonies - heronries - numbers can be in the 50s.🕊🦅🦆🦢🐧🐦🦉🦤

Roast heron was once a specially prized dish in Britain for special occasions such as state banquets. For the appointment of George Neville as Archbishop of York in 1465, 400 herons were served to the guests. Young birds were still being shot and eaten in Romney Marsh in 1896. Two grey herons feature in a stained-glass window of the church in Selborne, Hampshire.

The English surnames Earnshaw, Hernshaw, Herne, and Heron all derive from the heron, the suffix -shaw meaning a wood, referring to a place where herons nested.