Is this normal Heron behaviour ?

[Gremlin]

Down at the BWC yesterday one of the keepers threw some left over food out for the herons and other birds.
I was interested to see several of the herons taking the food to the water to, what looked like, wash it before eating it
Anyone seen this before ?
I know of other places that throw food out for herons, never seen this, they normally just swallow it !

 

[new2me]

Seen it mentioned in other threads before, or somewhere else, but not witnessed it myself.

 

[Alastair]

Possibly wetting it to lubricate it before swallowing.

 

[new2me]

I'm sure i've seen it suggested as a fishing method.

 

[new2me]

Yeah, it's a green heron, but wondered if they Greys do it too

 

[moth]

I've seen this before, I was told they wash there food, not sure if it's true or not!

 

[Gremlin]

I've seen this before, I was told they wash there food, not sure if it's true or not!

That did seem to be what was happening, not seen it before, perhaps a learned behaviour as even the youngster were doing it.
Can't see it as being a fishing aid, plenty of food had been thrown out and not all eaten

 

[gramps]

I've seen this when they have caught Voles.

 

[FromTarn]

possibly washing it to help with getting in down