In the heart of Kinsale ,where the noise of every day urban life is loud and continuous, there is an established heron colony. The breeding season begins In February and continues through to June. The courtship, mating, preening, nest building and rearing of chicks takes place high in the sycamore trees above the relentless noise levels in the streets and harbour below. It is a serious and time consuming business for an adult heron. This is no easy task for a bird with long legs more suited to wading in shallow water than clambering in trees. The natural world was never silent but here in Kinsale the herons have become tolerant of new and different sounds.