Great blue herons are one of the most visible and familiar bird species on the Sunshine Coast. The lanky, long-legged, shaggy-headed birds can be seen all along our shorelines and wetlands as they stalk their prey in shallow water and then with a sudden spearing motion catch a small fish. When not actively foraging for food, individual birds can be seen silhouetted against the sky as they roost motionless atop a piling.
Herons have always been a common sight on the Sunshine Coast. In fact, the signs at the entrance to Sechelt that welcome drivers to the community feature great blue herons, making the bird the default civic bird – though this is a mistake: it should have been the black oyster catcher!
Though still a frequently seen bird, the population of herons has declined dramatically over recent decades. Local Christmas Bird Count data (the best data we have) indicates the winter population has declined to about 15 to 20 per cent of its 1980 level. There may be a number of reasons for this, but circumstantial evidence indicates that the dramatic increase in the bald eagle population has impacted the heron population, as eagles are known to predate the nests of herons by killing the young birds in the nest.
Herons generally nest in colonies that can range from three nests to large numbers (up to a hundred). The nests are bulky structures placed in the top of trees, both deciduous and coniferous. Colonies move around and are not used every single year. For example, in some years there is a small colony in the trees at the back of the Sargeant Bay wetland.
This year a very unusual heron nesting took place when a pair of birds chose to build a nest on a completely exposed piling adjacent to the marina and wharves beside the Lighthouse Pub at the head of Porpoise Bay. The usual nest composed of bulky sticks is balanced atop one of the pilings and for the last two to three weeks, three young herons can be clearly seen in the nest even from the deck of the pub and restaurant. There is no attempt to hide the nest, and even more surprising, the local bald eagles are constantly flying overhead. Let’s hope the herons can conclude a successful nesting!
To report your sightings or questions, contact [email protected] or 604-885-5539.
Good birding.
