Britain's dwindling heron population is causing serious concern among conservationists, although she on the danger list can often be spotted on the shoreline around the stunning Shotley peninsula..

Experts warned that the iconic species may be heading for the Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List.

These include Grey Herons, egrets and cormorants, which, as ou pictures show, can be seen by ramblers, dog walkers and sailors looking out over the Stour, Orwell and th estuary towards Felixstowe and Harwich.

Grey Herons have shown 'boom and bust' population rises and dips since an annual census began almost a century ago, with temporary declines often associated with severe winters. 

But the current reduction in breeding numbers is showing little sign of recovery, according to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

It marked World Wetlands Day [FRI FEB 2] by publishing the latest findings from its long-running Heronries Census. 

First launched back in 1928, the study set out to monitor and estimate the numbers of Grey Herons nesting in Britain. 

The species covered in the census has grown in recent years as egrets and other waterbirds formerly restricted to the continent have colonised the UK's wetlands, considered by many to be a direct result of climate change.

Little Egrets first nested in the UK in 1996 and over the past couple of decades they have been joined by Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Spoonbills. 

Another bird covered by the census is the Cormorant, which has seen a change in nesting behaviour- with some birds now breeding inland in trees as opposed to on traditional coastal cliffs.

Ian Woodward, Research Ecologist at the BTO, said "This ongoing survey helps us monitor the overall well-being of nesting heron species across the UK. 

"Thanks to the wealth of information gathered by our dedicated volunteers we can see just how these birds are responding both positively and negatively to changes in the environment.

"It also goes to show just how important the UK's wetlands are as essential habitats for many of our resident species as well as those already colonising from the continent, such as Spoonbills, and those showing signs of doing so, such as Glossy Ibis."

Cormorant on Shotley foreshore (Picture: Nub News)

He said the Heronries Census is a valuable tool in the BTO's ongoing research into the changes occurring within populations of wetland birds - and more volunteers are being sought to help fill in some of the missing gaps.

Mr Woodward added "Many birdwatchers may be aware of new or small nesting colonies that haven't yet been recorded by the census, and these could be vital in our understanding of how these species are adapting to change, or colonising new areas. 

"The more information we can gather, the better we will understand just how our nesting herons and egrets are faring in an ever-changing landscape."