> From: Susan L. Collicott[SMTP:camel at serv.net]
>
> I have always considered GBHs to be solitary unless nesting. Is this
> true?
>
GBHs do not nest at Marymoor, and are seldom seen there during the
nesting season. However, at this time of year they will roost together
in some of the large cottonwoods in the SW part of the park. Today
there were only two there, but I often see seven or eight at a time, in
two or three adjacent trees.

When they are not roosting, they are foraging along the slough. When
you see them flying, you are as likely to see two or three together as
to see one.

I have no idea whether there are deeper social ties between these birds
- for instance are there pairs staying together over winter, or are
these parents and first-year birds, or siblings, or are they all
first-year birds from the same heronry? Or are these birds from many
different heronries?


== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== mikeho at microsoft.com