The majority of the 90-plus Great Blue Heron nests established this spring in Kiwanis Ravine, near Discovery Park, have failed due to eagle predation of eggs and chicks.
Heron Habitat Helpers, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting herons and the Kiwanis Ravine colony, is asking Magnolia and Ballard residents to report any sightings of herons activity — specifically carrying twigs and building new nests, noting an approximate location where these birds land — to info@heronhelpers.org. Herons nest in both deciduous and coniferous trees.
Heron Habitat Helpers heron monitor Pam Cahn has been observing the Kiwanis Ravine colony since February. She reports that most of the herons have abandoned the colony due to repeated eagle incursions, although an undetermined number of nests, some with chicks that have hatched, remain.
In the last few days, Cahn has seen dramatically increased heron nest-building activity at Commodore Park, located a short distance from Kiwanis Ravine. The new nests are believed to be the product of herons previously nesting in Kiwanis Ravine.
Heron Habitat Helpers was established in 2001 to help protect the city’s largest great blue heron nesting colony in Kiwanis Ravine.
More information about the organization is at www.heronhelpers.org.[[In-content Ad]]
