Monthly Feature

Heron Rookery

“Great blue herons typically nest in colonies called “rookeries.” Herons build large coarse stick nests of in dead trees directly over the water or overlooking wetlands. More rarely, heron nests are located in live trees growing in proximity to productive wetlands which lack standing dead trees.”

“When nesting together, herons employ a strategy of “safety in numbers.” During synchronous egg-laying, incubation, hatching, brooding and fledging phases of their breeding season, sentries watch for aerial predators including owls by night and hawks by day that might attempt to prey on vulnerable eggs or nestlings.”

Heron Rookeries and Safety in Numbers

This is the first time for me to see a Rookery, up close like this. I was quite amazed to see all the Herons in their nests. And one or two out gathering nesting material.

Is nature amazing!!!