Hi Tweeters,

I have started to spend more time on Soos Creek trail
in Kent because it is very close to home and I have
sort of gotten over having my car broken into at one
of the trail heads.

About 4 years ago or so I noticed a few Great Blue
Heron nests out in the open in a marshy area at the
corner of 256th street and 148th. At that time there
were three nests I think which were used for nesting.
I don't believe the nests have been used the last
couple of years. There is about 1 1/2 nest left in
that spot now. If you take 146th Ave SE off 256th the
first two houses on the right look right into the
nests. That must have been really neat when the nests
were active.

This morning I noticed the tiny colony has moved and
expanded. It is inside Soos Creek Park now near the
trailhead at 148th and SE249th St. where the park shop
is located. The colony is south of the parking lot
and east of 148th. (I hope I have my directions
straight.) I noticed herons collecting sticks while I
was walking on the trail. It is hard to get a good
tally of the nests from the trail or from the road but
I would guess around 10 nests total. They seem to be
either under construction or on eggs. I could see and
hear displaying/bill clacking and saw 2 herons down on
the nests. I wonder if some of the herons are from
Black River colony?

I also saw a Wood Duck female flying around landing on
trees, probably looking for a cavity. Heard 2 or 3
Orange-crowned Warblers singing and a lot of the usual
suspects. Many Pine Siskins if anyone needs a Pine
Siskin fix.

Kathy
Roosting in S King County



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