GBHE Watch 2008
. Nest 1 Nest 10 Nest 11 Nest 2
Nest 7
NOTE: There no longer are any nest to the far left of the colony. This picture is of the middle and far right. There are 5 nests still in the colony, with Nest 2 in dire need of repair.
new addition to colony
Nest 12 Nest 1 Nest 10 Nest 11 Nest 2
nest 7
New addition to colony is the rebuilding of Nest 12 far left of the colony....Nest 11 has not been located as of 2 24 08...
January 1, 2008 10:30 AM SUNNY AND CRISP....
I started my birding day at Vasona. So many great birds there today. I was surprised by only seeing one Great Blue Heron at Vasona (and found one at the Campbell Ponds).
No Great Blues at the nests yet. They are predicting a huge rain storm for the Thurs through Sunday....Will do a drive by to check on the herons.
January 15, 2008 Raining, windy
I have counted six herons in the park. With two single males on Nest 1 and 10.
January 31, 2008 3PM Overcast, drizzle
I have been going to the see the herons about every other day. I am happy to report that Nest 1, 2, 10 and 11 have herons on them. With Nest 1 having a pair. Nest 2 is in dire need of repair. We have lost all the nests on the left side of the colony. With Nest 12 being blow out by that huge windy storm we had in January. The other nest are in good breeding condition and should produce young this year. I am hoping that we get new adults in to build new nests in the colony.
The Red-shouldered Hawks as well as the Red-tailed Hawks are back. The crows numbers have increased from about 35 to 65...not a good thing. I have also counted 10 Black-crowned Night Herons in the reeds on the island out on the lake. Canada Geese and Coot numbers have increased. With all this rain we have had it will be interesting to see if breeding for all species is not delayed.
February 6, 2007
Today I watched a GBHE that I am really interested in. It maybe a female and I watched this heron hunting along the lawn area by the entrance to Vasona. I watched this heron for a good two hours with taking notes of changing its position every 11-18 minutes. I was amazed at how long they actually stay in one striking position before an actual attempt at a strike. I guess I never documented it minute by minute. I truly learned a lot in those two hours.
Nest 12 was blown out in January's storm, but on 2 06 08, I noticed about twenty loose sticks in the farthest left hand side of the colony. Within four days a nest was increased ten fold. A pair was spotted adding twigs, mutual preening and mating at the nest.
February 15, 2008
Nest 1, 2, and 12 are now incubating. Nest 10 has a pair that has been adding twigs and mating. Nest 7 still has a single heron on it. No sighting of any Nest 11? Could it have been dismantled so quickly?
February 24, 2008 overcast, drizzle and then sunshine 59 degrees
I have been going daily (sorry I haven't updated the site) and watching the herons. Today I was concerned that I would not find Nest 12 after the heavy rains and winds of last nights storm. I was so surprised and excited to find all nest were fine. Nest 1 was incubating far to the left in the nest and sitting deep in the nest . Nest 2, mated, and is incubating. Nest 7 has a single heron still standing. This nest has gotten worse to observe. Nest 10 can been seen very well from the back of the colony (which I did) and you can see the heron sitting ...incubating. Nest 11 is ? Nest 12 is incubating and they have done a great job in rebuilding this nest.
Today I watched the female heron with the beige patch on the
side of her face. I have yet to figure where she is in the colony. Actually
for some reason I am finding it harder this year to put pairs together....
Here are some pictures from the past month. Notice the bills lengths
and thickness - male being longer and narrow and female being shorter and
wider...
Male Nest 2
Nest 1 female
Roaming female...beige behind eye. Heavy streaking on neck. Has strong bill marking by the lores, another good field mark for this heron. Wish I knew where she was in the colony!
February 26, 2008 64 Degrees...Sunny. Warm and Clear
Finally, I have found NEST 11....still there but so difficult to see. It is to the right of Nest 10 about 3-4 feet straight across...I cannot find the nest from the back side of the colony....very strange.
All was quiet and incubating.....Ah, what a great day for Feb! Hopefully the herons enjoyed the sunshine as well.....
March 2, 2008 Windy 64 Degrees Sunny
I am excited beyond all belief... First of all....I am excited because all six nests are incubating. Also, I studied the nests today (for about 3 hours) and found that Nest 1 is on the end...nest 10 is behind Nest 1 up about 15 feet and above Nest 10 about 15 feet is Nest 11.... I monitored the site from the back today, where I learned so much. You cannot tell this from the front of the colony...amazing.
Okay, first ....I can't stand this excitement: Nest 12 ....the male in that nest is MR. DOT....how amazing is that..... In Nest 2 is my roaming female...(still checking on this but about 75% sure)....Also, Nest 12 has been built up so much....what a great job Mr. Dot!.....read about Mr. Dot in Heron Watch 2007.
Today, I watched the herons as I said from the backside...to many people at Vasona Park this morning/afternoon. I was able to get a good view of the nests (all but Nest 2)....I will go through the 200 photos I took this past week and post some neat shots.
PLEASE....PLEASE...PLEASE REMEMBER that the herons are part of a study for SFBBO and should not be disturbed by anything or anyone. We all must respect the heron's nesting site at this time so that we all can share in the beauty and the knowledge learned from the herons.
Date to save:
Saturday, MAY 10
from 11-2PM
"The Salute to Vasona's Great Blue Heron Day"
will take place. There will be lots of info on the herons as well as San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.
There will be scope views of the nests and chicks
(lots of volunteers bringing their scopes to share with you).
We will have feathers, a replica skull, eggs and photos
come on out and bring the kids, grandpa and grandma too !
...i know it will be a true learning experience (not to mention loads of fun) for everyone
Have check colony on daily basis….all quiet…weather is beautiful and herons are all doing well.
March 3, 2008 windy, sunny 63 degrees
To many people today at Vasona so I went up behind colony (Cannon Building)…. Was jazzed beyond belief….learned that Nest 1 comes first….approx 15 feet up is Nest 10, and then 15-10 feet up from that in clear view is Nest 11. Could see Nest 7 much better, but harder to see Nest 2. Good views at Nest 12...
Nest 7 bird has one dot on vent….I am looking for the three dotted (vent area) from last year who nested in Nest 1.….
Had six pages of notes…stayed for about three + hours. All nests are occupied and incubating…I am thrilled
Took lots of pictures.
Red-tailed Hawk flying over nest, as well as Gulls….no concern by the herons…
Watched a pair of Bewick’s Wrens, lots of Bushtits and Yellow-rump warblers, Red-shafted Flicker and
Gold Crowns…..Singing Junco and Anna’s doing displays.
Upon looking at my pictures I was absolutely thrilled to see that Mr. Dot from last year (injured, rehabbed, released, had 2 chicks in Nest 11 last year) is the male in Nest 12 this year…Way to go Mr. Dot. He is now called Mr. Stud Muffin !
Today was a great learning day….amazing how the nests are better viewed (Nest 10, 11 and 7) from the back, also Nest 1 is far, some leaves but good because heron is sitting to the back of the nest, and Nest 12 gives me some fairly good viewing, lots of new growth and leaves, but still rewarding. I should be able to see the chicks very well in Nest 10, 11 and 7 this year from the backside… Will check on the herons daily, just drive bys both front and back …reporting date for SFBBO is coming up next weekend. March 3/8-3/9-3/10. Time changes on March 3/9...should get an some time now at night to view herons…
Allrightythen, Miss Cinnamon is the female in Nest 2.…does it get any better than this?
March 10, 2008 Sunny 62 degrees 9:30 AM to 1PM then again from 3:30 till 5:30.…
Study Day
What a wonderful day. As I was driving in a heron from the colony was flying over the field and landed in the top of a pine tree… I watched it for about 15mintues. I swear it knew I was there…. I then proceeded to the colony….
All quiet ….everyone is sitting in their nests.. … Took notes on how the nests were constructed and watched as a male heron fly into the trees between Nest 2 and 7.….all hell broke loose….The heron sitting on Nest 7 chased the heron. It turned out to be the male for Nest 2.… The male did a flight circle then called and landed on other side of colony. Walked through colony, landed on Nest 11 and then slowing got closer to Nest 2. Miss Cinnamon was on the nest incubating when her mate came in above her.. He then flew off to get twigs. I watched beautiful twig transfers between the male and the female.
I couldn’t figure out how the male from Nest 2 could land on Nest 11 and not disturb the incubating heron? A few minutes later Nest 11s heron stood up and preened? That was extremely odd behavior . I would have thought that Nest 11s heron would have freaked…but nothing…..Nest 2 male got closer to Miss Cinnamon, did heavy preening of himself and was very aware of Nest 7s heron….flew off got twigs for Miss Cinnamon.
Nest 1: incubating heron, no marks on vent, kept opening and closing bill with throat pumping action… not bill snapping , actually looked like it wanted regurgitate something? Carefully walked around the nest before sitting back down. Lots of heavy preening…. I believe the heron to be a female.
Note: nests have small bugs flying around them and hummers are catching the bugs.
From notes: One hour later:
No pairs at nests.
Nest 1, 11, and 12 up and moving about. RSHA calling and 100’s of Gulls way overhead. Garbage truck came in. May a huge racket, but herons didn’t seem phased.
Around noon, Nest 1 female was sitting up with its wings open (heart shaped) I was wondering if it was just cooling itself or shading the eggs? It fixed the bottom of the nest , pulled on some twigs and sat back down.
The only mate that came to the nest site from 9:30 till 1 was Nest 2...all other nests were quiet with incubating herons, getting up, turning eggs, sitting down, up about 20 minutes later to change position , preened and sat back down.
Stopped by the
Campbell ponds around 1:30PM…I believe the tree that had the nest in it has fallen. One tree left, no nests.Vasona: 3:30 Checked
Vasona Island for Black-crowned Night Herons. Found 1 standing on a Nest at the edge. Two other herons standing in the reeds. Another heron trying to catch fish standing on a dead tree to the left of the island.One other BCNH was spotted by the GBHE colony bridge…it was in the trees over looking the creek. All 5 Black-crowned Night Herons were full adults.
Quick check at the colony around 4:15:
Nest 1, 2 and 7 up and preening, walked around nest, sat back down
Nest 12 incubating, Nest 11 4:50PM was up and preening.
RSHA were calling most of the time I was at Vasona today, and were flying around the back side of the GBHE Colony. Other species seen: ruddy duck , cormorants, mallards, coots, pied-billed grebes, ring-billed gulls, killdeer, Canada geese and two cackling geese, kingfisher heard.
March 18, 2008 64 degrees sunny
CHICKS HAVE ARRIVED!
I went to the colony this morning around 11:30 and was thrilled to hear the calls of chicks. Nest 1 and 10 have chicks. The other nests shouldn't be to far behind. From the eggshells I would say the chicks arrived maybe Saturday or Sunday....putting the nesting time table right on schedule.
Lots of action around 12:30-1PM today with males bringing in twigs to Nests 1 and 10. Crows seem to be a bother again this year. All nests were active with one heron either sitting or standing on the nest. I watched Nest 10 regurgitate into the nest. Hmmmmm yummy....
I took pictures today, and will clean them up and put them on the website sometime this week. I returned to the colony around 5:00 tonight....all nests had adults standing on each nest. Nest 1 tonight regurgitated into the nest....man, I get to see all the good stuff! Nest 2 looked to be eating something from the bottom of the nest, and every year I ask myself the same question..... Would an adult heron eat one of their young? I still can't get that question answered....
Allrightythen, it's gonna be really exciting from now on....the babies are here!
March 25, 2008 66 degrees Sun with clouds moving in...rain tomorrow.
I have been to the colony everyday since I last posted. I am in my glory as all nests now have chicks. I actually saw the chick in Nest 1 today...it's about 10 days old and a pretty good size. You can hear the chicks from the parking lot! I am always amazed how people can walk by and not look up when the chicks are calling....
Brief Notes taken: All nests have males watching over the chicks.
Nest 1....Saw 1 chicks....I am sure there is more than one....a few more days and I should be able to tell. The male has been sitting on the nest with his wings out stretched.
Nest 2... Female came into feed the chicks...Male has been on the nest, preening and sleeping
Nest 7... I can't tell much on this nest this year as the leaves have really filled in . I can see one heron standing.
Nest 10....Again, male on nest, watched female come in and feed..
Nest 11....Ditto
Nest 12..Well, this nest also has chicks, I saw Mr. Dot today and his mate together. He stepped off the nest to the side while she feed the chicks...they were calling loudly and I could see fluff moving in the bottom. Oh, how I wish I could be up high to see the little ones.
Pictures from today: Notice that the bills are coming out of breeding color. Once chicks arrive they go from the bright yellow/orange to the gray top with the yellow bottom and soon to all gray!
3/25/08 Nest 12 Male: Mr. Dot See the dot over his eye!!!!!
Isn't he just beautiful!
3/25/08 Nest 12 Female...
Friday, April 4, 2008 5:30 PM Cool, Windy and Clouds coming in.
I went into Vasona to check on the herons this evening and was very much dismayed at not hearing any chicks calling. To make matters worse I couldn't find a heron in Nest 2. All other nests had at least 1 heron. Nest 7 had an exchange of herons and I could hear the chicks calling to be fed.
I waited for about 35 minutes and still no movement or heron in Nest 2...so I decided to check behind the colony.
Still nothing in Nest 2, but lots of action in Nest 1 and 10. I could see movement in both 7, 11 and 12. Here are two pictures of the chicks I could see.
Nest 10 has 3 Chicks and Nest 1 has two chicks.
Nest 1 - Two Chicks. The chicks with its back to the picture still has quite of bit of fuzz, and is much smaller than the one to the left of the picture.
Nest 10 Mom with largest chick. There are three chicks in this nest.
April 7, 2008 Sunny 58 degrees
Today I did a four hour study for The Bird Observatory. I was delighted to hear the chicks calling when I got out of the car, but really delighted to see Miss Cinnamon on Nest 2!
Here's the low down: CHANGED 4/22/08
Nest 1 has three chicks
Nest 2 has three chicks
Nest 7 I cannot get a count on this nest yet (Update 2 chicks as of 5/8)
Nest 10 has three chicks
Nest 11 has two chicks
Nest 12 has three chicks
Total without Nest 7 that is 14 chicks counted. The surprise for me today was watching Nest 1 from the backside of the colony. I was able to see one real good size chick about 10-14 days old and another chick about 8-10 days old, and then a tiny chick about 4-6 days old. I have put an email out to see if there is a possibility that nest one laid five eggs and only eggs 1, 2 and 5 hatched for such a size difference (which looks about right from the oldest to the youngest). I guess anything is possible but I would love to know the probable.
Nest 12 2 Chicks ...Chick on left has grabbed the bill of the chick on the right
Chick from Nest 11 looking up to adult....how cute is that!
April 16, 2008 Sunny 62 Degrees Windy
Today was pure delight.....I truly enjoyed watching the chicks and trying so hard to get a count in Nest 7 which I still cannot do. Darn
All the nests are doing well. The adults are now leaving Nest 1, 10 and 11 alone. Nest 2, 7 and 12 still have adults with watching the chicks.
Miss Cinnamon in Nest 2 was really upset today with her nest. The bottom part of the nest has really come apart, but the main part of the nest is very well placed and looks sturdy. I watched Miss Cinnamon pull out twigs from the bottom part of the nest and add them to the sturdier part of the nest....her littlest chick decided it would help....I will post the picture.
April 16....Miss Cinnamon and her two chicks....Notice that the adult crown is white and the chicks are dark grey.
Miss Cinnamon fixing her nest....
Miss Cinnamon and her three chicks....notice the chick to the far right helping Mom fix the nest. This is how they learn....The chicks are about 3 1/2 weeks old....
Miss Cinnamon being scolded by her oldest chick...look to the far right and you will see the eye of her other chick....
Nest 10 Two Chicks...
Nest 12... I call this one Mr. Tough Guy....he/she is always attacking it's siblings and its parents. Notice its punk rock hair style...this is what we call its teenage stage!
Nest 11...smallest of the two chicks....
April 22, 2008 6PM COLD WINDY 54 Degrees
Last night Kristine Long and I visited the colony. I have upped the count on Nest 2 from two chicks to three chicks....No action in Nest 7...not even a heron. So without Nest 7 we have 14 chicks.
Interesting news....there is a male building a new nest by Nest 12 and doing neck stretch displays to another adult above where it is building the new nest. Food for thought...could this be a new pair....or is it the pair from Nest 7.... Ah, another question to ponder...do I number is Nest 13.....or skip to 14?
Kristine will be watching the nests while I am gone to Florida (for 10 days)..... I bet when I get back the chicks will be branch walking and really big!
May 10, 2008 Vasona's Great Blue Heron Salute 11AM - 2PM Sunny 75 degrees
It was a fun day had by all. I want to thank the volunteers who came out and gave of their time to help Saturday (and brought theirs scopes). A big thank you to SFBBO for hosting this event.
The Herons as usual put on a great display for everyone. Parents came in to feed. Chicks were branch walking. The sun was shinning and all and all it was a good day.
May 14, 2008 Hot 99 degrees 6:00PM
Checked to see how the colony was doing in this heat....talk about branch walking! The chicks are all over the place....it was hard to tell who belonged where. That's really a good sign. They are getting ready to come down and feed themselves. It won't be long before they take flight and leave.
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