Hello all, this is my first post to tweeters, and I'm very glad to have
discovered you all. I was walking through the Ballard Locks this morning
and I saw more great blue herons than I have since breeding season.
(There's a rookery just south of the locks, I counted about 15 nests this
spring) They were hard to count since they keep flying around, but I know
there were at least six today, but my question is in regards to a display
I saw. Today was the first time I've seen herons displaying. There were
two on the west end of the locks, about 30 feet apart on separate
abutments, and I was no more than 50 ft. from either one. First the one
closest to me started displaying, spreading his (I'm guessing they were
male) wings to make himself look bigger. He chased most of the seagulls
away and soon the other heron flew over to the same area as the first.
They proceeded to display, necks straight, bills up, wings bowed out. As
they closed in on each other they would spread their wings, usually with
one wing lower than the other. They reminded me of a kildeer's broken wing
display. Finally, they attacked each other, squawking and flying at each
other, stabbing with their bills. After a few seconds one chased the
other away. It was a very impressive display. So my questions are:
1. Was this a territorial display? Why now, After breeding season?
2. My impression was that at least one was a juvenile, but I didn't have
any books with me. Could this have been two juveniles playing at displaying?
3. Or are herons just persnickity? Anyway, it was a sight to see.


--
Only when the last tree has been cut down,
Only when the last river has been poisoned,
Only when the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.