On the morning of 13 August, a heron — a familiar visitor to the mill stream by Thames Street — was heard calling persistently from around 7:30 am. It soon became clear that the bird was in distress, unable to move far or leave the water.
The RSPCA arrived at the scene around 10:00 am and, seeing the bird’s condition, called in the fire service. Firefighters entered the water and lifted out the exhausted heron, which by then was too weak to resist.
The RSPCA said a fishing hook was lodged in the bird’s wing, with line trailing into the lilies and holding it fast.
Thanks go to G for the photograph and to J for passing on the story.
Is it OK now?
On Thursday there were a number of people fishing above and below the bridge on the far side of the Nag’s Head, none looked like they were seasoned anglers, while I was walking along towards the bridge one hooked a passing boat and lost perhaps 150 metres of line before it was cut.
I don’t know who is directly responsible for fishing licences but this was after the TC would have gone home for the day.