Photos, questions, want to learn more?
Let’s keep talking! #HeronTalk
The live heron cam is down for the season. Come back next spring to see if they return.
The heron cam provides the ultimate close-up view of one of North America’s largest urban colonies of Pacific Great Blue Herons, a species at risk.
The colony, located behind Park Board offices in Stanley Park, is home to about 100 active nests which produced 175 fledgling herons in 2015.
When the first chicks hatch in early April – watch both parents feed and protect their young from eagle and raccoon attacks. It’s the best nature show in town!
In the meantime, check out videos and photos below of the herons, from courtship to fledging chicks.
Watch their courtship and mating rituals, nest building, egg laying, and fending off eagle attacks
Help support the heron colony
These herons are a species at risk in Canada and the Stanley Park colony is a vital part of the south coast population. One-third of great blue herons worldwide live around the Salish Sea.
The Park Board, along with our friends at Stanley Park Ecology Society, help sustain the heron population through monitoring, stewardship, and education.
Help Stanley Park Ecology Society protect, monitor, and sustain the Pacific great blue heron colony by adopting a nest.
Read SPES’ Stanley Park Heronry Annual Report from last year’s season 
Heron Cam supports the Park Board’s Biodiversity Strategy 
(5.3 MB), a guide to protect and expand natural areas throughout the city.
The enrichment of habitat for urban wildlife, such as the herons, is fundamental to the strategy. Heron Cam also supports the Vancouver Bird Strategy (4.1 MB), providing education and celebrating the city’s birds.
