Herons Return to Stanley Park Nest Site

March 16, 2009 (No. 14) - The Pacific great blue herons have returned to Stanley Park, settling into their nests a few weeks later than in 2008. The herons have been nesting in the large rookery located in the trees that tower above the Park Board's Administrative Office and the tennis courts since 2001.

In 2008 the herons occupied 150 nests in 25 trees and produced more than 200 fledglings by the end of the season, which is in August.

Park Board staff have secured the gates of the fenced areas below the heronry to reduce disturbances to the heron colony and to protect passersby from falling debris.

The Pacific great blue heron is considered a species of special concern. An average bird stands about one metre tall, has a wing span of 180 cm and can live as long as 17 years. Reports of herons nesting in Stanley Park were first documented in the mid 1920s and although the herons have been regular inhabitants of the park, they have tended to migrate from one area of the park to another over the years. Predators include bald eagles, raccoons and owls.

The Park Board has developed a plan for the management and stewardship of the Stanley Park heron colony that identified guidelines for protection of the herons and habitat restoration and enhancement.

The Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) monitors the herons throughout the nesting season and has an Adopt-a-Nest program. To find out more about SPES and the Stanley Park heron colony visit www.stanleyparkecology.ca

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For more information contact Mike Mackintosh, Director of Stanley Park Legacy Project/Wildlife Management, Vancouver Park Board at 604-257-6910
or
Robyn Worcester, Urban Wildlife Specialist, SPES at 604-681-9453

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.