Heron Habitat Helpers
About the Herons

General Background:

The colony of Great Blue Herons that nest in Kiwanis Ravine inspires the Heron Habitat Helpers' mission. Year after year, the herons return to their nests in February and spend several weeks in courtship to select a mate for the season. The female typically lays three to five eggs, which both parents alternate incubating for about 28 days. Heron chicks typically fledge in two months, usually in June or July. However, young from late nests may not fledge until late summer.

The Kiwanis Ravine heron colony has grown from 35 nests in 2001 to over 80 nests in 2010. During an undisturbed season, two to four chicks typically fledge per nest. However, Bald eagles are having a more and more significantly destructive impact on the colony productivity. See the Seattle Times article from March 2010.

The majority of herons at Kiwanis Ravine nest in maple and alder trees on the west side of the park. Some years there are also a small number of nests in other areas of the park, as well as in nearby Commodore Park. Herons can be very sensitive to disturbance, so no one should enter Kiwanis Ravine during the nesting season from February 1st to July 31st. On the other hand, the herons that nest in Commodore Park have chosen a much more exposed nesting area and seem oblivious to people passing by or observing.

While most Great Blue Herons have the scientific name: Ardea herodias fannini and have the habit of migrating to warmer climates in the winter months, our local herons are the subspecies, Ardea herodias fannini Chapman, Northwestern Coastal Herons. Our herons do not migrate in winter months, and their color is a bit darker than the more common species of Great Blue Heron.

Photos by Don MacKinnon ©, used with permission.

Great Blue Herons are fascinating birds that can live up to 20 years. These majestic animals need human help to ensure their habitat in Kiwanis Ravine and other urban areas is protected and properly managed. In addition to the colony in Kiwanis Ravine, Seattle is home to heron colonies in the North Beach neighborhood, the West Marginal Way Greenbelt, and Matthews Beach. Washington also hosts heron colonies in the Black River Riparian Forest of Renton and on Samish Island near Bow, at the mouth of the Skagit River valley. Herons hunt for fish at the Locks near Kiwanis Ravine and along Puget Sound and Lake Washington shorelines.

Other sources of information:

• Seattle Audubon Society
• Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife