Heron Hunters Use Google Maps

A Lincolnshire weekly is employing the Google mapping service to keep readers updated on the movements of a ‘killer’ heron.

The Grantham Journal first reported stories of a pond-raiding heron last month and illustrates its path of fish-killing destruction on Google maps with the help of eagle-eyed users who send in details of sightings.

Assistant editor for content Bob Hart told the JP Digital Digest: “The Garden Gobbler map has had a good response from the public - it's been running for several weeks now and we're getting new sightings each week.

“When we originally found out about the Google mapping tool we envisaged using it for something more serious, but it's lent itself well to this more quirky item.”

The Johnston Press publication has also been making the most of other online resources and has created a group on social networking site Facebook in order to promote a local music festival.

In addition, all the Journal’s news video items from its website are being uploaded onto YouTube.

“We're finding that use of resources like these is helping us to tap into a younger market and find more imaginative and creative ways of approaching our stories,” added Hart.