Predominantly northward dispersal of Grey Herons Ardea cinerea from a heronry in Greater Manchester, UK

In 1988 a ringing study was commenced with the aim of determining patterns of dispersal from a large heronry in Greater Manchester, north‐west England. Between 1988 and 2008, over 900 nestling Grey Herons Ardea cinerea were ringed at the heronry, rings from 53 of which were subsequently recovered. The overall annual recovery rate was 5.7% but this declined significantly from 7.5% between 1988 and 1996 to 3.8% between 1997 and 2007. Around 60% of ring recoveries were within the first year of the bird's life. There was a statistically significant bias in dispersal direction towards the north‐east, with a number of birds being reported in midwinter up to 100 km to the north‐east. This predominantly northeastward dispersal may have been associated with a range extension in that direction, facilitated by a succession of milder winters.