Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias )
   
 
Narrative and Science Lens
 


This bird, as Audubon shows, is a denizen of marshes. So, what brings them to campus lawns and the median along Camus Drive? Is it a sign that they are increasingly common, and spreading beyond marshy habitats? A sign that premiere marshy areas are less common or degraded so that grassy areas are increasingly acceptable alternatives? Or something else?

The low water levels at Lake Lagunita probably limit foraging opportunities, while the damp lawns and grassy areas probably  encourage foraging for voles and pocket gophers.
 
  Campus Locations
Uncommon visitor throughout the year. Occasionally forages at Lagunita, and for voles and pocket gophers in grassy areas throughout campus &endash; including the median along Campus Drive.
 

Campus sustainability

  Water depth at Lake Lagunita may limit foraging. Replacement of lawns with drought-resistant plants, may also limit foraging success [Steve, true?], encouraging use of watered lawn areas.
  What you can do
  1. Note any successful foraging efforts and what was taken
  2. Note use of dry area for foraging
  3. If seen overhead, note flight direction and time-of-day
  Science
       Essays from The Birder’s Handbook:
            Piracy; Variation in Clutch Sizes; Coloniality
       References: Gibbs et al., 1987; Hancock and Kushlan, 1984; Pratt and Winkler, 1985.

     Regional Studies:
     Audubon Canyon Ranch, which acts as guardian of five main nature preserves in Marin and Sonoma counties
     Elkhorn Slough Research and Information for Researchers
Art
       Photos:
            Rohan Kamath: Great Blue Heron
       Videos: Breeding season video clips/live footage provided by the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
       Drawings and Paintings:
            DW drawing after Audubon
          DW drawing of foraging GBH
 
  To add reports or images please submit them via the Art at Exits home page