Mersey Heron

When I was a kid the Mersey was infamous for being one of the filthiest rivers the UK had to offer. Nothing much would survive in it and the joke was that, if you fell in, you'd be poisoned before you drowned. But in more recent times considerable efforts have been made to clean up the river. Now, the banks of the Mersey are a significant wildlife resource and its common to see waders and oyster catchers feeding on the mud flats at low tide.

Spotted this heron this morning whilst taking the dog for a walk. I went back later with a long lens and it was still there.