Two herons perch in nests at a heron rookery in Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Judi Folk
March 15, 2024 - 6:00 AM
Great blue herons are nesting at this time of year and their bulky nests can be seen high in the air on trees and platforms.
The elegant wading birds start the nesting process between February and May by constructing nests out of big sticks and using softer materials like grass to line the inside, according to Birdfact.
Herons are colony nesters and will gather in large groups called heronries or rookeries, which can contain hundreds of nests and they return to the same spot every year.
The long-legged birds prefer tall trees or platforms to nest on, but if there aren’t any available they will nest on the ground on islands in the middle of water bodies to keep out of reach of predators.
Chicks take a month to hatch and the male and female herons take turns looking after them.
Great blue herons are found throughout North America and Central America.
If you take a photo of a heron and want to share it, send it news@infonews.ca.
A great blue heron stands in it's bulky nest at a heron rookery in Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Judi Folk
A great blue heron spotted in a marshy area of Penticton.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lilian Blashko
A great blue heron wades in a marsh in Penticton.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lilian Blashko
The empty nests of a great blue heron heronrie are seen in Kelowna in December.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Alvin Dribnenki
A blue heron stands in the leaves in Penticton.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lilian Blashko
This blue heron was spotted in a tree in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Mike Douthwright
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