Tweeters-
In response to the question about the status and number of nests at Des
Moines Park:

There are seven great blue heron nests in the trees on the
bluff above Des Moines Creek Park, where the park meets Puget Sound. Six
of the nests have hatched young, and the seventh is still
incubating. Along the trail upstream an eighth pair has been seen
courting and may attempt to nest, but they are getting a VERY late start
and are likely to be unsuccessful.

These nests can be viewed easily with a scope from around the covered
picnic area and playground. You don't have to worry about disrupting the
birds from this distance- this is a very popular spot and gets quite
raucous on weekends.

A picnic-er told me that there have been several active heron nests just
upstream from the park for several years. The Department of Fish and
Wildlife does not have these nests in their database- this is the first
year that herons have been reported nesting here. If anyone has more
information about the historic use of this site by herons, please let me
know and I will see that it gets reported.

Thanks!
Amy Stabins
University of Washington, Seattle
astabins at u.washington.edu


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Amy J. Stabins
College of Forest Resources
University of Washington
astabins at u.washington.edu