Stewardship Stories
The Hidden Rookery
story and photos by Brenda Wilson
I'm a nurse educator and an amateur photographer, and I've always had a passion for nature.
Recently, I observed a tree with some unusual nests. After researching and asking around, I learned that the tree might be part of a rookery and home to great blue herons. While driving to town the first week of March, I saw a group of large birds flying in loose formation—likely great blue herons—heading towards the rookery. The herons landed gracefully on the nests, their long legs stretched out. I watched them settle in as their necks reached up toward the sky. The scene was bustling with fifteen herons flying in and calling out.
The first time I took pictures, it was hard to focus on getting good shots because I was captivated by their behavior. I shared my photos online and received a great response. On the next visit to the rookery, I noticed something new—two great blue herons in the same nest. It seemed like the herons were forming a pair bond as they performed courtship displays. The male heron rose, stretched his neck, rattled his feathers, and puffed out his plumage. The female mirrored the male's behavior by stretching her neck, pulling her head back, and reaching toward the sky.
One day, I watched the birds gathering material. After researching, I found out that the males collect sticks for the females to build and reinforce the nests. In mid-March, our area experienced severe weather with rain, snow, and high winds. I was worried when I saw less activity at the rookery after the storm. However, I learned that great blue herons are very resilient and can survive high winds and great storms. The females likely protected their eggs by tucking down low in the nest and shielding them from the harsh weather.
Another day, I observed a great blue heron standing nearby while another was incubating eggs on the nest. Great blue herons are known to share incubation duties, so it's likely they were taking turns. By March 20th, I noticed more females were incubating eggs, and the rookery had expanded with two new nests in a nearby tree.
I visit the rookery almost daily. I don’t always take pictures, though. Some days, I am just captivated watching the herons. They're fascinating to observe, especially to see them glide through the air and land on tiny branches. Their agility is so impressive.
My plans are to continue to visit the rookery daily, but I am very mindful not to share its location with many people. I am aware that too many observers and commotion on the ground could cause them to abandon their nests permanently. So, although I would love to share the location with everyone, I am taking the necessary steps to protect them by keeping their location private. This will help ensure the herons are able to raise their young without unnecessary stress.
This last photo shows two of the adorable chicks. As the trees leaf out, the herons will be harder to spot, but knowing that they made it this far is a great comfort.
I hope people will be inspired to take advantage of the natural beauty around them. Exploring and learning about the outdoors can be extremely rewarding—it sure has been for me.
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