Dear Tweeters and Herons Forever friends,

Last Friday, one of our volunteers posted an update on the status of the
herons at the Black River colony in Renton (subject: Black River birds).
Please join us for our field trip Saturday afternoon at the colony (on
Oakesdale SW, near the intersection of SW 7th). A preview of what you will
see is on our volunteer photographer's (Mike Hamilton) website --
http://home1.gte.net/mikeham/. Yesterday's photos will be posted a little
today. Be sure to read his email below to get a sense of just how beautiful
it is there right now, and for a real sense of hope that our herons seem to
be doing pretty darn well this year, in spite of the bald eagles using the
colony as their fast food deli. There was no sign of Bonnie and Clyde (the
resident eagles) today or any time during the past week. Directions are on
our website -- http://www.heronsforever.org/.



The path is wheelchair accessible if you have someone helping along the
unpaved portion of the path.



Incidentally, quite a few of us receive Mike's daily emails. He takes
wildlife photos all around the area. If you'd like to be added to his email
list, contact him at mikeham at verizon.net. It's free and the his photos are
spectacular.



We hope to see you Saturday!

Suzanne



Suzanne Krom, President

Herons Forever

http://www.heronsforever.org/





From: Mike Hamilton [mailto:mikeham at verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:58 PM
To:
Subject: Black River Field Trip Saturday



Hi all,



Today is a preview to a field trip at Black River this coming Saturday, from
2-4 pm. Information and directions are contained in the announcement below.
Come see for yourself how the great blue herons are faring this year, either
through your scope or mine.



The number of fledglings seen today was, very roughly, again in the range of
12-20. It is very difficult to say because they are very active and there
are many places for them to escape being seen. Also, some are leaving the
premises of Black River and some go back to the nests. On the basis of adult
flights in and out, and the volume of food fights among juveniles, there are
perhaps 10-15 still to fledge. But, with only a small wiggle of the scope,
there is one path along which at least four nests can be seen with herons
aboard. This suggests a larger number. I guess we will never know for sure.
My guess is still something in the range of 30-50. No matter what,
fledglings will definitely be seen on Saturday!



The first three photos from today show a bathing-beauty fledlging taking a
bath. Next there is another fledlging who landed on a shaky perch above the
bathing-beauty. He didn't stay too long before leaving. These are in the
pond section across from the meadow trail from the small lot at Oaksdale and
Monster Road.



Down by the colony, you see two fledglings along the shore. I know there
were others but I couldn't get them into the scope. Up above the colony you
see a fledlging who is probably attempting to find his nest while holding on
to a shaky perch. Next a view of one of the fledlgings circling in the nest
area, plotting the next move.



There were again a lot of ducklings on the pond. Here you see a family of
gadwals pushing off from across a log across the pond. And finally, there
was a juvenile red-tailed hawk circling over the Waterworks Garden, quite
possibly from the red-tailed hawk nest at Black River.



That's it. Hope to see you Saturday.



Mike



------------------------------------------------------



From: Suzanne Krom [mailto:szkrom at drizzle.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 11:32 PM
To: HERONSUPDATE
Subject: Black River heron colony field trip July 25, 2:00- 4:00 pm



Dear Herons Forever friends,

Join us for a late season field trip at Black River. We hope to see heron
fledglings and other wildlife, including wood ducks and gadwall with their
young, and perhaps even a beaver or two.

Knowledgeable people will be on hand to talk about the past couple of
nesting seasons for the herons and their newest neighbor and antagonist, the
pair of nesting bald eagles, who we have come to refer to as Bonnie and
Clyde. We'll also discuss the Cooper's hawks that nested here the past
couple of seasons.

When: Saturday, July 25, 2 pm - 4 pm

Where: Black River Riparian Forest and heron colony. We'll meet at the kiosk
along the paved bicycle trail. From there, we'll walk to the viewing area.
Directions: http://heronsforever.org/directionstoblackriver. Email me if
you need additional directions.

Bring: Binoculars if you have them. Spotting scopes will be available. You
can be sure we'll see plenty of mosquitoes, so bring repellant.

The path is wheelchair accessible if you have someone helping along the
unpaved portion of the path.

Save the date: We are in the process of planning a work party at Black River
on Saturday, September 19. More information to come as the date gets closer.


We look forward to seeing you there. The herons thank you for your support!

Suzanne

Suzanne Krom, President
Herons Forever
http://www.heronsforever.org/