A pair of Green Herons
tried to nest at Sam Smith Park this spring/summer but it came to a sudden end
on 8 July. The pair bonded in late May and early June and built a nest on June
12-13. One Heron sat on the nest at all times from 13 June to 7
July, only occasionally getting up to walk on a nearby branch. I
watched the nest with the adult inside, three different times every day
for 20 minutes at a time ( 1 hour daily). On the 22nd and 30th of
June I observed at least 2 eggs during a stretch break by the
adult. There may have been more eggs.On 7 July, the adult was more active in and around the nest and I
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| Bruce Wilkinson |
When I returned the next day (July 8), both Herons were on the shore nowhere near the nest and it had been abandoned. I could not see any eggs or nestlings inside their nest. I can only imagine that perhaps a predator ( raccoon )? had raided the nest of the poor Herons. It was such a disappointing end to what might have been the first Green Heron Nestling success in our little urban wilderness.
Maybe next year they will have a happier ending for all the work that's required from them.
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| Green Heron |
NOTE: All observations were made at a distance of 100 yards with a telescope. At no time did I try to get close .The nest and it's location were not divulged to minimize disturbance and maximize nesting success.
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