Heron Habitat Helpers

Another Heron Release Aug 18, 2023

August 18, 2023 By Marla Master

HERON RELEASED!
This heron could not wait to get back into the wild! The heron was rehabilitated by the amazing people at PAWS – Progressive Animal Welfare Society. The heron arrived with a dislocated shoulder, fractured wing and rib, and signs of hemorrhaging. After 52 days in care, the bird was fully recovered and flighted, and ready for a return to the wild. And, it did not know how to feed itself until it learned by watching another heron that was also being rehabilitated. Makes the feeling of watching it soar even more meaningful. Opening the crate was HHH volunteer heron monitor Anne J.

Click the link to see the video!

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And you’ll note the paparazzi!! The heron release was filmed by Kiro, King 5, KUOW, and Fox 13 News – so keep a lookout for it on your local news stations.

Thank you to all who care about our local wildlife. We are so fortunate to have nature and wildlife in Seattle. Wildlife keeps our ecosystems healthy, trees and plants filter the air and water, and our interactions with nature offer positive effects on our well-being.

If you want to learn about Heron Habitat Helpers and how you can get involved, email us at: membership@heronhelpers.org

Colony Updates

March 26, 2020 By Marla Master

LATEST COLONY PHOTOS & NEWS

Week of June 6, 2020 – Lots of action at the Commodore Park colony. Last Sunday, we were notified by Joshua Lee that a bald eagle landed in the colony and took two chicks from one nest. On Tuesday, we were notified by Chuck Rinehart that a chick had fallen and was uninjured. HHH board member Linda Marsh was able to capture the chick and bring it to PAWS where we hope it can be rehabilitated and released once it can fly on its own. In Linda’s words: “It’s young, legs still a little puffy and not many feathers, standing with its head tucked in under a bush near the west picnic table, and was soaked through. I just dropped a towel over it, picked it up, and put it in a box. No apparent injuries, and it flapped, screamed, and tried to bite me, so I’d guess good prospects”. And Thursday, we were sadly notified by Celeste Botha that there was a dead chick on the ground. Thank you citizen scientists! Your observations really do help us monitor the colony. These situations are all part of life and the colony overall is doing extremely well this season boasting 58 active nests.

Photo Joshua Lee

Photo Kathleen Atkins

As of March 25, 2020 – the Commodore Park Great Blue Heron Colony is currently thriving as approximately 80 herons court, mate, build, and rebuild in 50 + nests. There is a lot of courting by cooing, stretching their necks, showing off their plumage, and bill dueling – a courtship ritual. Some herons have taken over last years nests and are refurbishing, while others are starting from scratch. We have been fortunate to witness, in amazement, the challenge of balancing the first twig in the fork of a tree with just a beak. If you observe herons lying down in the nest, that means they’re incubating eggs. Both male and female herons will incubate eggs, taking turns so they can go out a feed. Chicks will begin hatching mid-to-late April.

As the season progresses we’ll be updating here as well as at https://www.facebook.com/HeronHabitatHelpers.

Here are a few images by Beth Shepherd Photography that capture the courting phase.

Thank you to the photographers that have been sharing their photos with us! Email us at info@heronhelpers.org with photos.

A New Look!

November 23, 2015 By Marla Master

We are so proud and excited to launch our new Heron Habitat Helpers (HHH) website. A huge thank you to Kim Halvorson at halvorsonmedia.com who helped us realize our vision to create a fresh, engaging website that is simple to navigate. Now you can easily learn more about our fascinating neighbor, the Great Blue Heron.

Through habitat restoration, community outreach, public education and ongoing advocacy, Heron Habitat Helpers work to ensure the great blue heron continues to thrive throughout the Puget Sound region. We do this because we believe the great blue heron – and other wildlife native to this area – contributes immeasurably to the unique quality of life we enjoy here in the Pacific Northwest.

We would love to hear from you! Email your photos, news, and questions – or if you would like to get involved! info@heronhelpers.org

Another Heron Release Aug 18, 2023

Colony Updates

A New Look!

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