Subject: Birth of a Heronry?
Date: Mar 6 08:53:19 2003
From: kjandrich at netscape.net - kjandrich at netscape.net



Hi fellow Tweeters,

Now that there is just enough light in the evening to do a bit of birding I stopped at Medina Park on my home last night and was absolutely amazed to see a brand new Great Blue Heron nest in a fairly unprotected tree over the pond that is next to NE 12th. I watched one heron fly away and about 10 minutes later return with a new stick for the nest. The pair arched their necks and raised their crests and bill touched afterwards. Although my camera is not really good for bird photos I couldn't resist bringing it this morning to take a few pictures and a second pair that wasn't there last night look like they might be interested in setting up shop in a fir across the path from the first nest. On the more protected west side of the park I saw two occupied nests last night.

This park is heavily used by people and dogs. It is used as an offleash park although I do not know if it is designated as such. I have witnessed some disgusting dog owner behavior in the past and have kind of ignored the park for birding becuase of this. One owner sicced her dog on a hunting heron...arghh. The heron flew off, but just the same I can't believe some people. This was a few springs ago.

It should be interesting to see if these new nests make a go of it.

I am starting to see Western Grebes on Lake Washington on my bus ride over 520 in the morning and this morning a Bald Eagle was actively hunting near Foster Island.

Kathy

Kathy Andrich
Roosting in Renton
kjandrich at netscape.net

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