GBHE Watch 2002

The Great Blue Heron Watch.....2002

Last year (2001) I was birding at Vasona one day and quite by accident I noticed a Great Blue Heron land in one of the Eucalyptus trees by the children's playground. All I had with me were my binoculars so I ran home and got my scope. I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked up into the tree and find a nest with four of the most adorable GBHE babies.  What a treat to find this great nest.  I watched the nest from May through June.

This year I went back to check on the GBHE's nest and to my surprise the nest was occupied again this year.  I was even more surprised to find that there were three other nests at the top of the Euc trees.  One nest had three nestlings, another was being incubated and the third was just about finished with building its nest.  I have been monitoring the nest ever since.  I found the nests this time in March..

I have done quite a bit of reading up on Great Blue Herons and thought I would share what I have learned. I will also be entering data from the nests at Vasona, along with pictures. 

 Great Blue Heron Nest (Rookery) over at Vasona in Los Gatos.

 Nest 4      Nest3                   Nest 1                                   Nest 2                   

                              Nest 5               Nest 6                

Nest 1 2001 Fledged 4 Young

Nest 1 2002 Has 5 Nestlings -                       Nest 2 - 3 Nestlings

Nest 3 - 2 Nestlings (NEST FELL)      -              Nest 4 -  3 Nestlings

Nest 5 - Studio 1 Nestling                              Nest 6 Incubating/Brooding 6/7/02

There are two other nests on the back side of the Rookery. One nest very hard to see would be Nest 7 under Nest 2.  Nest 8 would be behind Nest 1 and Nest 6.

Great Blue Heron Watch Diary....Vasona 2002

March 12, 2002  55 degrees cool, no winds

This was my first trip back to check on the nest from last year. Last years nest is occupied with a pair of Adults, looks like two other nest have been built, one with babies, with another being built.  One nest is being incubated.

March 15, 2002 52-55 degrees , slight winds

Nest 1: Pair of Adults, can't see babies yet. But can hear them.

Nest 4: Active with three young.  Adult standing off to the side of nest.

March 28, 2002  55 degrees

Nest 1: 4 babies in nest, Adult off to the side.

Nest 4: 3 babies, Adult still off to side, preening.

Nest 3: Incubating

Nest 2: Nest building

April 4, 2002  Windy

Nest 1: Adult standing below nest, another adult circled and flew to stand by other adult. Preening each other - Bill grabbing. I can now see 5 babies.  1 very small and downy, 2 medium sized and two larger ones. Adults preened for a long time.  Babies very noisy.

Nest 2: Adult with twig flew in.  Building nest.

Nest 3:  Incubating

Nest 4: Babies standing on edge of nest.  Must have been the first set of GBHE babies born to colony.

April 7, 2002 65 degrees  4 HOURS

Nest 1: Can see five nestling.  Varied sizes. Adults not at nest.   Later adult flew to nest, babies alert and grabbing adults bill. largest baby in front of adult, regurgitation into nest.  Another adult flies to side of nest.

Nest 2: Turning Eggs. Adult stands over nest and looks to be turning its eggs, then sits low in nest.

Nest 3: Adult stopped incubating and is standing over  nest.  Can't see the babies yet. 

Nest 4: 3 Larger babies standing on edge of nest.  I am surprised by the size of these nestlings.  Must be at least 4-5 weeks old. Fighting amongst siblings, horrible calls, sounds like they are killing each other.  One nestling standing on edge, another walking around edge, the third in the nest.  Adult standing to the left of nest.

April 12, 2002 75-78 degrees hot in the sun

Last visit before trip to Texas....

Nest 1: Only see 4 babies in the nest, the 5th possibly in the bottom of nest. Some movement, but did not pop up. First impression that two babies are really big, two others catching up (medium size).  They are very vocal.  All standing and walking around rim. Two medium babies standing of to the side, two larger making loud noises, calling, wing flapping.   Adult of to the side of nest.

Nest 2: Still turning eggs?  Fixing nest, adding twigs and incubating.  No babies can be seen.....

Nest 3: HOORAY! 2 babies is I see.... I would say 3-4 days old and a 7 day old. Adult at nest regurgitated into nest. Adult careful of where it was standing. Shaded babies after they ate, they quieted down and settled into nest.

Nest 4: Only spotted two standing at edge of nest, parents gone for very long time.

Overall impressions:  Nest 1, I am worried about not seeing 5th baby, one sibling seen pecking at something in the bottom of nest. Size difference was great, wonder if this small one will survive?  Nest: 2 still incubating and turning eggs, she has no shade and is quite exposed to the elements, including HAWKS! Nest 3: I was thrilled to see two babies, but wonder why only 2?  Guess I will have to wait an see if she has any more. Nest: I wonder why I didn't see this nest when the babies were small.  Is March to late to be first checking on them?  Must put in my notes for next year to check in February. 

April 23, 2002   55 degrees

First trip back since getting back from Texas on 4/21.  Was told it was very cold and windy while I was gone. 

Nest 1: Only see four babies, standing on edge of nest.  1 adult above nest. All are oscillating.  WOW: 5th baby at the bottom of nest, I can't believe how small it is. Half the size of the others.  Looks to be very weak.

Nest  2: Two adults standing at nest. Preening - cannot see any movement in nest. I noticed that an adult was sitting in the nest again, then stands, could there be really small babies up there?  The nest is so high. New adult flew directly to nest, can hear cries but can't see babies.  Red-Tailed Hawk flies over, parent at attention. 

Nest 3: Adult about 6 feet off to the right of nest. 2nd Adult standing across from nest.  Only see 2 babies, possible 2 weeks old.  All are oscillating.

Nest 4: 3 very large babies standing on the outside edge of nest. How does the nest hold them up?  Wing flapping, noisy.

May 8, 2002   70 degrees

Couldn't check on nests for a couple of weeks, not feeling well.  Hopefully back on track now....Texas did me in!  Made this a short visit......

Nest: 1: Adult flew in nest, babies attacked adult for food. Adult regurgitates a large whole fish (really gross to watch), two larger GBHE babies stayed in the background, 2 smaller (medium sized) fought with each other for the fish.  Terrible calls and fighting over food.  Smallest not to be seen.  Only one GBHE baby got food! Adult flew off.  Rechecking nest, I see 5 GBHEs with the smallest still with downy feathers and very yellow bill. I am truly worried about the size difference here. 

Nest 2:  Can only see two small babies, very hard to see up into nest. Adult standing over nest.

Nest 3: Still only two in this nest.  Adult on the side of nest.

Nest 4: 3 Babies are huge....won't be long before they are out of the nest.

May 13, 2002  70 degrees, windy. 4 HOURS +

WOW!  Couldn't believe my eyes.  GBHES flying all over with twigs.  Nests being built on the back side of colony (can't see from where I was standing, but can tell more nest are being made). I would say the nest went from 4 to at least 10. Didn't realize this would be a real test of day! 

Nest: 1  Shocked to see how big these four babies are, couldn't see the smallest.  Must be getting ready to fledge.  I would think within one week these nestlings will be on their way.  This was the only nest today that I did not see the adult fly into to bring food or twigs.

Nest 2: Can finally see some heads now.  I counted only two, still hard to see into the nest with it being high and some coverage of Euc leaves.  Adult still at the nest the whole time.  Lots of calling and crying. Adult fixing nest.  Another adult brought food and twigs.

Nest 3: CAN'T LOCATE NEST!  Can't find this nest. I see other nest have been added around this area, but not this one?  Think I am losing my mind, how can I loose a nest?

Nest 4:  Truly amazing, the nestling have now become fledglings.  They have been flying from the nest to other trees across the rangers station. They were attacked by Crows and looked confused.  Lots of flying about and then coming back to the nest. Adult bringing twigs? I wonder why?  Lots of noisy crying, still begging for food.  Adults lands in the nest often, could it be bring food?  I did notice it brought lots of new nesting material.

NEST 3..........FOUND THIS NEST ON THE GROUND.  TWO NESTLING NEED TO BE RESCUED.  WHAT A DAY. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW STRESSED I WAS TO SEE THEM SO FRIGHTENED.  WHERE DO I TURN TO FOR HELP? 

Here is a picture of the first rescued Great Blue Heron Nestling. I believe this bird to be about 4 - 4 1/2 weeks old.  It weighed less than 2 pounds. It was very frightened and tried to feed itself from the creek. It had an injured leg. I would later find out that this heron had to be put down due to it had a broken knee.

 The second GBHE rescued was a tad bigger than this one from under a bush. I believe this one to be about 5 weeks old and it weighed about 2 lbs.  Here is the picture of the second GBHE rescued.

 I would like to thank Ranger Steve Famalett for all of his help with the rescue of the two herons. I also would like to thank a couple, I didn't get their names (if you read this please email me at..... okaponds@aol.com  for the help in finding the second GBHE baby.  I tried for 2 hours to find it.  Finally this wonderful couple found it way under a bush and stayed until it was rescued.

 I have come to appreciate what Rangers are faced with when someone comes and tells them they need an animal rescued.  I had noticed that the GBHE in the creek was in need of help, but it wasn't until I saw this one, running and limping that I knew something had to be done.  I went to the Rangers office and asked them to call SFBBO (San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory) and see what could be done as I had a doctors appointment I could not miss.  I gave Ranger Steve my phone number to call me and let me know what had happened with the birds.  Thinking that the little ones would be rescued and all would be fine I went on my way.  When I returned home from the doctor, there was no message from the Ranger Steve, I began to worry. I called the Silicon Valley Wildlife Rescue, they told me to put the bird in a box and drive it down to Alum Rock. So I called SFBBO and Janet Hanson , Executive Director of SFBBO, said that the Ranger had called her and she gave him all the numbers he needed for a rescue. I told Janet I was going back to Vasona to check on the status of the GBHE babies. 

When I arrived at Vasona, I went immediately to talk with Ranger Steve.  He told me that all the agencies he called wanted him to capture the bird himself, put it in a box and that only Los Gatos Rescue would come and pick them up.  So, Ranger Steve went and got a large garbage can and we met at the creek. After a long discussion on how to do this without injuring the bird, I said I had a coat in the car that I would throw over the heron and then pick it up and put it in the garbage can.  Ranger Steve reminded me that I could either get wet and or hurt by the heron and that catching it would be a task. I do not know what came over me, as I am not the type of person to do something like this.  The heron was in the creek, I went to the creek, chased the heron up the side of the creek, over the bike path, under a picnic table and finally covered the bird with my coat.  He was as light as a feather, which surprised me.  Gingerly into the garbage can he went.  WOW. I was thinking that wasn't to bad.....my heart racing all the time I was in pursuit (didn't know if my heart was racing from age or my nervousness from taking on such a task). 

One down, one to go.....Ranger Steve said, when I found the second one to come get him and we would do this all over again.  It seemed forever trying to find the other bird.  I saw a young couple coming down the path and asked if they had seen a small heron anywhere. They were so nice, we talked about the rookery and how the little one needed to be rescued.  So they said they would look for it back down one way while I tried another.  Within minutes they found the little one under a bush.  I quickly got in my car and went for Ranger Steve.  I thought while taking my coat back out of the car, here we go again.  This time the heron was under a bush near the edge of the creek.  The water was deeper at this part of the creek...hmmmmm what to do, what to do.  Ranger Steve got another garbage can and his pole and I  got my jacket.  Ranger Steve got on one side and I with coat in hand on the other. The poor little thing went deeper under the bush and I was forced to go under the bush to grab it.  Another one captured.  I handed it off to Ranger Steve while the gentlemen who helped find the little lost heron, then helped me out of the creek. 

I am happy to say that both have been picked up by the Los Gatos City Rescue and turned over to the Humane Society which in turn, turns them over to Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley.  I was told by Ranger Steve that after they are rehabbed they will be released back at Vasona.

I again would like to thank Ranger Steve Famalett S37 and the great couple who helped with this rescue.  You helped save the lives of two GBHE and you should be proud of yourselves.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Okay, I will update when I go out on Thursday to check on the herons. All was quiet today 5/14/02 .  Only a few herons at the nests, no one flying about.  Wonder why yesterday there was a flurry of activity and today nothing?

May 14 and 15, 2002 70-75 degrees

I did a quick check both days to see how things at the Rookery have been going since Monday.  I have to say things have quieted down quite a bit. Only a 2-3 Herons bringing nesting material to the colony. Both adults fed Nest 2, from which I could see there are three nestlings in that nest.  In the creek was a foraging Post-fledging from Nest 4.  I will pop a picture in of the GBHE foraging in the creek in a few days.  Question I have been pondering.....could all the nest building and fixing of nests, all the flying from and to the colony by so many GBHE have anything to do with Monday's earthquake.  The colony was exceptionally busy, Herons everywhere on Monday, then on Tuesday totally quiet.  Just a thought.

May 17, 2002 75-78 degrees

After birding Oka Ponds, I headed over to Vasona.  The Rookery was really quiet today.  I think I have a much better count on the nest. I will rework a photo and get the count up asap. 

Nest 1: Three nestlings in nest. I believe one left the nest and was foraging in the creek.

Nest 2: Adult at the nest.  Three nestlings seen and heard.

Nest 3: NO LONGER ACTIVE: FELL

Nest 4: All three post-fledglings in the creek together hunting for food. They all look like they need some lessons in fishing, but I do think they will be okay.

Nest 5: This nest will be called the "Studio" nest.  It has two large nestlings.  I would say at least 6 weeks.

Nest 6: This nest is above nest 1.  I am having a hard time getting a count on this one.

Nest 7 & Nest 8 Are on the back side of the trees. I viewed them from University Ave side.  Both look like they are adding twigs, will need to check this every few days

Also, since Tuesday, 4 Great Egrets have been in the trees.  Will have to wait to see if they nest?

Overall Impressions:  Well, it has truly been a loooong week.  I have a count of 8 nests, which includes the one that fell. I am checking for the 9th nest, but need to check it out further.  I noticed that the nests and the trees are starting to look flattened, messy and open.  I can now see nests I couldn't before.  Also, I am wondering why Great Egrets are up there.  I am also concerned on how the upcoming rain this Monday will affect the herons. It usually doesn't rain in May, so I can see myself out in the rain next week checking on them.

May 21, 2002

All quiet at the Rookery.  Found upon arrival 3 Great Egrets up with the Great Blue Herons.  Wonder if they are considering nesting up in the Euc too? 

Nest 1: Empty Now  Nest 2: Three large nestling still present  Nest 3: No Longer Viable  Nest4: Empty  Nest 5: Studio Nestling still by itself  Nest 6: TWO NEW ADULTS IN THIS NEST.  Can't see the two nest on the back side.

May 27, 2002 

A quick visit to the Rookery today....

Nest 1 NEW ADULT IN NEST....two adults in nest, pair bonding, neck snapping and squawks......

Nest 2: 3 Nestlings being fed by adult.

Nest: 3 NA    Nest 4: Empty   Nest 6 2 New adults in this nest.

Nest 5 (Studio) One single nestling still by itself.....I think it has the only child syndrome...doesn't want to leave home....LOL

June 3, 2002  HOT Sunny  90-95 degrees

Another quick stop to check on things. Really hot today, will make this a fast check

Looks like Nest 1 has new occupants..

Nest 6 has new adult sitting in nest.

All the other nest remain in the same status......

June 7, 2002  4 hours 80 degrees

WOW, what a morning.  Arrived at Vasona around 8 AM and noticed a new GBHE bringing in new nesting material behind Nest 1  No Great Egrets in sight of Rookery and no adult or fledgling GBHE feeding/hunting any where in the immediate area.

Nest 1.  The pair in this nest must be new to the area. I do not remember a GBHE with strong black shoulder marking.  A single beautifully plumaged adult is sitting in nest and once in a while standing and preening.  When only one heron is in the nest it looks to be sitting deep in the nest incubating!  Could we be expecting a new brood?  How exciting.......

Nest 2: Two nestling standing in nest and one nestling standing about 4-5 feet on outer branches.  The nestling on the outer branches is definitely ready to fledge. It stands out there flapping its wings, has very good strong wing beats.  Won't be long now.....

Also, this nest was visited today by an adult who fed the nestlings by regurgitating food into the bottom of the nest. The nestling were pulling on the adults bill and there was a horrible fight amongst the siblings for food. The nestling calls upon arrival of the adult is almost deafening.

Nest 3 NA                     

 Nest 4 Empty

Nest 5: Still has only one nestling in the nest.  This GBHE nestling looks like it wants to leave but every time it goes to the edge and flaps its wings it looks like it changes its mind. It does seem ready to fledge. Today for four hours this GBHE was not fed or visited by an adult.

Nest 6: NEW BABIES!!!!  OH MY.....Where did these little ones come from.  An adult was standing at the nest and preening, then sat in the nest which lead me to believe it was incubating. Then the other adult flew in, they changed places, and up popped the tiniest of heads.  I believe I only saw one, maybe two then the adult sat back down the nestlings. Could she be brooding and incubating?  I will have to keep a closer eye on this nest now.

Nest 7: I did not put this nest on the picture because I can not find it from behind. I see the pair fly in with twigs, but can't locate the nest. I did go to the back side of the nests today, and couldn't find any new nests.  I watched today as one adult flew to the nearby Euc tree, break off a piece of a twig with leaves and then fly behind nest 1 and disappear.  This nest will take work to find....hopefully I can check on Monday, to many people on the weekend.

June 24, 2002

I have been taking quick stops over at Vasona.  Nest One is busy with another set of GBHE babies and the adult is standing to the side of the nest. I will take a count this coming week. All other nest are empty.  Other birds of note: Western Bluebirds with babies....

July 1, 2002  Afternoon 92 degrees ....sunny and hot

Went over to take a peek at the rookery.  Nest 1 has a incubating/brooding GBHE adult on the nest. I could not see any little ones, but the adult did look to regurgitate into the nest. It was definitely watching where it was stepping.  Then it sat back down low in the nest.  This is a magnificent looking GBHE with the most beautiful black shoulder patches and long body plumes. 

Nest six has three young babies, all crying to be fed and the parent is standing on the side of the nest. Great to see this nest being used again.

July 9, 2002  Afternoon  sunny very hot 100+ degrees

Just a quick stop by to check on the nests. Nest 6 has three babies in it, with the parents standing on the side of the nest just like last week.  The seem to be about 3 weeks old. Very cute and noisy....

Nest one has an adult present, first sitting and then standing at the nest. I still can not see any babies.

July 16, 2002  80 degrees

Another quick stop to see the that in nest 6 an adult GBHE switched places with the adult at the nest.....then the babies (3) started pulling at the adults bill.....it was amazing to see how strong the little ones were.  The adult regurgitated into the bottom of the nest and the three nestling fought like mad to get a share....

Nest one....still has an adult at the nest....can not see any movement or young.

Did manage to take a few pictures of the adults looking for food for their little nestlings......here a three pictures that  were taken of the GBHE's in the creek at Vasona.

Both pictures are of adult Great Blue Heron: 7/16/02

There was definitely good size fish for the taking.....

July 24, 2002 Early Evening 77  degrees

What a wonderful evening at Vasona. I checked the nests and was thrilled to see three nestlings about 4-5 weeks old in Nest 6.  They were very very vocal and when an adult flew in (it made a calling sound as if to alert the nestling that it had food for them) to feed them they were just carrying on, grabbing the parent's bill and begging for food. I was surprised that they didn't knock each other off the edge of the nest.. The adult left the nest after regurgitating into the bottom of the nest to look for more food. It took the nestlings quite a long time to settle back down into the nest.

 In Nest 1, I was just delighted to see one baby.  What an adorable little GBHE nestling. I would say it is only about 2 weeks old. It was so downy and its wings did not have all its feathers yet.  It could just about stretch out its wings. It cried to be fed and in flew an adult to change places with the adult at the nest. After preening and fixing the twigs in the nest the adult then regurgitated into the nest.  The fledgling then settle down and was quiet. 

The creek was active with Great Blue Herons.  I saw at least 6 of various ages in the creek feeding on a run of little fish.  I will get my film developed tomorrow and add those pictures here. I am hoping that the pictures I took of the GBHE that has the black bold shoulder markings will come out well.  This heron is new to our area and it is quite a stunning looking bird. It did have quite an attitude about being in the creek, as if it owned the creek.  It would chase off any other Herons and especially the juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons. When the adult BCNHs came to their juvies rescue the GBHE would chase them (the adults)  into the trees. It was quite something to watch.  The dominant GBHE would then fluff out its feathers and forage for more fish. 

Well, the pictures came back and I was just thrilled with how some of them came out.  Hope you enjoy these....

This posture is a showing of the Great Blue Herons presence in the creek.  It tells other birds that this is my feeding territory and I am in control!  It worked he scared off all the other herons and egrets...

Another posture saying this is my feeding grounds ...get away. Look at this beautiful breeding plumaged bird.....

This display was a treat for me to witness. I had just finished reading about this display in a book called The Great Blue Heron by Robert W. Butler. This display is to threaten an interloper away.....

In this display....the GBHE has just chased another GBHE juvie over the creek onto the dirt bank.  Here it is showing off his full adult breeding plumage and authority to the other young heron.

When the GBHE was doing this display it was strutting around with its head high in the air.  I was just so excited to have been able to see this display....

Here is a picture of the GBHE with its beautiful black shoulder patches.  What a magnificent looking Great Blue Heron.

July 26, 2002

Took a quick walk around Vasona to check on the nests and all the other great birds that have feeding in the creek.

Nest 6 and Nest 1 are still active with Nest 1 having an adult still present.  Nest 6 was full with three large babies. 

The creek had 12 Black-crown Night Herons and Vaux's Swift flying over the lake.

July 31, 2002

All is going well with both nests.  The three at Nest 6 are getting really big and fight each other for the food when the parents come in.  The parent is now just dropping food into the bottom of the nest and taking off. 

At Nest 1 it was hard to see the GBHE baby...must have been laying low in the nest.   Didn't see the adult present either...wonder why?

August 3, 2002  70 degrees windy with up to 30 mph gusts.

I just had to stop by and check on the nests as the winds were just fierce here today. When I got to the Rookery, my heart sank. Not one Heron was on a nest or in the trees.  The nests swayed so badly that I thought they were going to fall.  I searched all of Vasona and did not see one GBHE!  The winds were so strong it capsized two boats on the lake.....the terns couldn't even catch fish as they were being blown all over.  I can't imagine where the Herons could be.........

August 4, 2002  76 degrees No Winds

What is that saying, "What a difference a day makes".

Just had to run back today and check on things after finding the adult GBHE with the black shoulders from Nest 1 over at Oka Ponds. I was stunned to see it on "Snipe Island" as it looked to be hiding under the bushes. I hope the two pictures I took come out and I will pop it in here. 

So off to Vasona to check on the nests after finding the GBHE at Oka and with the winds calm I was hoping for the best.  Hooray....There were 6 GBHE up at the Rookery. I was trying to sort them all out. I saw three at Nest 6 with another large one at Nest 1.  I am wondering if this is the baby from Nest 1 and it was hunkered down in the nest yesterday and I couldn't see it. I say that because all the other herons would fly to and from the rookery.  The nestling from Nest 6 are at least 6-8 weeks old, which means they (2)  would and should be able to leave the nest  and come back to it. That is what I think they did yesterday during the wind storm. But the nestling in Nest 1 today could not fly. I was concerned that no food was dropped off to Nest 1 and it looked for an adult and walked around the nest.  I did see another GBHE today up in the trees that I have not seen before. I am wondering if it is the other parent to Nest 1. I will pop in to check on them again during the week. 

One thing I noticed today.  Since the windstorm yesterday the trees have lost a lot of their leaves and I can see all the nest. I took some pictures to help me get a better count. I think I may have found two other nests......hmmmmm I would really like to get a good count and location of all the nest that are up there this year. It will make it easier to know where to look next year!

August 9, 2002

Nest 1 looks empty and I am afraid that the nestling is no longer alive.  I see the adult foraging in the creek but it does not go to the nest at all.

Nest 6 has two nestlings at the nest, the third must have fledged. One looks like it is ready to leave any day with the last to follow in a couple of weeks.  They still need to come back to roost for an additional two weeks after fledging, so it there are still GBHEs seen around the nests.

August 17, 2002 (Company Picnic)

Nest 1 is no longer active. Nest 6 still has one nestling, should be about another week till it can get food and will need to be at the nest for another two weeks.   January through August is their breeding time. They are really cutting the deadline for breeding close.

August 20, 2002  Afternoon

Shocked and dismayed at finding that Vasona has moved construction equipment and piping under the under story of the Rookery.  I can't believe they don't see one nestling in the nest. The parent will not come in to feed during all the noise and confusion under the nest site. I will speak with someone about this.

I went back to check on the nestling around 6 PM and the parent came in and dropped off food for the nestling. The nestling gave cries of joy....it must have been really hungry with all the disturbance during the day time.

August 31, 2002 Giving the all clear

A million thanks to Kelly Crowley, Santa Clara Valley  Audubon Society Environmental Advocate for her help in protecting and saving the last GBHE......Here is an article that Kelly wrote and was published in the SCVAS Avocet (Newsletter).

SCVAS Protects Vasona Herons
by Kelly Crowley
SCVAS Environmental Advocate

One late afternoon the last week of August, I stood on the bridge at Vasona Park peering through a scope at an empty Great Blue Heron nest. On my left side was a project manager with the San Jose Water Company; on my right was Linda Sullivan, dedicated monitor of the Vasona Great Blue Heron rookery for the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO).
Linda had emailed me only a week before, alarmed at the construction equipment and supplies that had appeared directly under the heron nest still containing the season’s last chick. She had watched as the adult herons refused to return to their hungry chick amidst the construction noise, and she had worried that the chick would be scared off its nest before it was truly ready to fledge.
She talked to the rangers, who deferred to Parks & Recreation staff. Then, she pleaded with Parks & Rec staff, asking them to delay the project just a week, maybe two, until the last heron had left the nest. The staff refused, saying, “It’s only one bird.”
That’s when Linda called my office. She had exhausted her resources, and hoped that the name “Audubon” might offer the leverage she needed to save the bird. We made a few phone calls and wrote just one letter, before the project manager at the San Jose Water Company agreed to delay the project until Linda gave him the “all clear.”
Which is how I ended up standing on the Vasona Park bridge looking through a scope at an empty nest atop a eucalyptus tree. The last chick had successfully fledged. In all, the rookery had housed 8 nesting pairs and produced 19 chicks.
As we stood on the bridge processing the events of the last week, we slowly collected the park rangers who were passing by. “Linda! Do we still have a bird up there?” “Hi Linda! What do you have in the scope?”
Everyone nodded in agreement that the rookery was a real asset to the park, not to mention a growing attraction on the weekends when curious onlookers gather and ask, “What are you looking at?”
“I didn’t know this was here,” said the Water Company’s project manager. “But I’m glad I know now. We’ll stay far away if we ever have to come back on another project.”
Many thanks to Linda for her hard work on behalf of SFBBO and the GBHEs (that’s official nomenclature for “Great Blue Herons”). We’re glad she thought to call us, and pleased we could help protect the herons. If you want detailed information about Linda’s observations over the last nesting season, log onto www.okaponds.com.

The nesting season for 2002 is now closed. I look forward to starting all over again come January 2003.

All pictures are copyrighted © and may only be used with my permission.