Most years we get a call from South Annan. There is a heronry in the grounds not far from the house.

Young herons leave the nest and walk around the tree tops, but just like human toddlers, some are unsteady, and inevitably one or two will topple to the ground.

The trees are tall, and it is impossible to get a heron back to its nest, even if we knew which nest it came from. This young heron liked to explore and was found on the main road.

Clearly this wasn’t a good place to be.

When we arrived the heron had been fed. The lady had offered him tinned tuna. He wasn’t impressed with that, but when the lady took the fish from the plate the heron ate the lot.

With a full tummy he was feeling content, and had settled down behind a bush. The lady was keeping watch.

We approached the heron from both sides, but he was soon up on his feet and walking towards me.

I grabbed his beak, because if a heron is going to attack it is the beak that will cause the damage. The edges of the bill are razor sharp, designed for keeping a tight hold on slippery fish.

I soon had my arms around his wings and popped him into the box.

The heron was emaciated. He was given fluids at Hessilhead and later that day offered more fish. He is eating well, several times a day, and gaining weight.