A Remarkable Heron Story from Sedgefield: Goliaths, Greys, and an Unexpected Protector Around 18 August 2025, the Goliath Herons in Sedgefield began building a nest again high in the tall Eucalyptus trees where they successfully raised a chick two years ago.

On 10 January, I was thrilled to discover how much progress they had made. The two chicks had already grown to nearly adult size. The nest sits incredibly high and is well hidden among dense foliage. I managed to catch a glimpse only by peering through thick branches, and even then, the view was fleeting. When the adult Goliaths settle down on the nest, they disappear completely from sight. But what truly surprised me was what happened around the nest.

Grey Herons had also built their nests on both sides of the Goliaths. Their nests were more exposed, making it easier to spot their chicks earlier in the season. I often watched the heron colony’s quiet rhythm until something extraordinary happened. Whenever a Gymnogene (African Harrier Hawk) flew overhead looking for small chicks to snatch, the entire heron community erupted in alarm. Wings flapped, calls rang out, and every bird seemed to join the defensive effort.

One afternoon, I noticed the Gymnogene approaching again. This time, however, both Goliath parents were away from the nest. I held my breath, worried for the chicks. Then came the moment I’ll never forget. A large Grey Heron suddenly stepped into position on the Goliaths’ nest, standing guard over chicks that were not its own. There it remained, vigilant and protective, defending the young Goliaths while their parents were out hunting. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing: the Grey Herons were actively helping to protect the Goliath Herons’ chicks.

What an incredible example of interspecies cooperation and a reminder of how much we still have to learn about the natural world.

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