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Monday, July 17, 2017
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Saturday, July 15, 2017
A Subadult Black-crowned Night Heron Is Greeted by a Green Heron Adult
Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 1
Black-crowned Night Heron (Left)
Adult Green Heron (Right)
Bleck-crowned Night-Heron
Green Heron Adult
Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 1
Mallard Ducklings
Green Heron Adult
Black-crowned Night Heron
Ditto
Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 1
Juvenile yellow-shafted Northern Flickers
at play
Week of 07-10-17 to Present
A subadult Black-crowned Night-Heron came to visit this week, which I assume was last year's
second summer bird. I believe this bird had been born on Goose Island two years ago, as the Green Herons evicted an adult from trying to breed at that time. The night-heron clan is sometimes known to eat the eggs of other herons, which causes them consternation, so they generally will not allow them any real estate in many heronries.
Sometimes the Black-crowned Night-Heron will nest in the same tree with ibises, and occasionally they will be accepted by other herons. They also don't discriminate against the birds in other nests and have been known to brood nests not their own. Young birds will disgorge their stomachs if disturbed, quite like vultures, who do so at any age.
After a couple of days, an adult Green Heron came face-to-face with this subadult night-heron. They both appeared quite surprised at the encounter and managed to remain quite close for a good fifteen minutes before Green Heron left the area. I did my best to record the event, since our colony usually drives them away. Evidently, the adult Green Heron felt that the night-heron meant no harm.
It is possible that the night heron has left Heron Cove, as I have not seen it there for a couple of days.
It was a nice visit, while it lasted. Prior to the bird making its appearance on Monday morning, it was under the main nest tree on the west bank of the cove. Since night-herons don't care for bright sunlight, it never stayed long in the mornings. They usually tend to do much better at pre-dawn or twilight, retiring in the shadows.
There are still plenty of young birds all over the lake, including these two young Northern Flickers, who displayed their yellow shafts the entire time that I was in their presence. They did the jousting play ritual, which is quite common for the species.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Two Rare Green Heron Rituals Await You
Subadult Green Heron
Green Heron Immature Clutch #1
Ditto, Both on 070217
Green Heron Meeting, 070317
Prelude to Egg-Laying Ritual
Green Heron in Nest 4
Egg Laying Ritual Begins
Green Heron Preens
Prior to Pair Bonding Ritual
Green Heron at Nest 5
Green Heron Pair Bonding Ritual
"The Stick Seals the Deal!"
Bonding Accepted
Great Egret, 070818
Week of 070117 to present
There is a lot to cover this week and a lot of excitement.
First, I obtained an adequate enough photo to show the nest 4 bird. Thanks are to the graces of the wind, and her position. The female stays on the nest overnight, then both male and female trade off positions during the day.
I have seen it before, but we also were privy to the egg laying ritual. When all the eggs are lain, the male will inform the colony. He begins by taking a high perch so that all may see him. He then makes himself look large and mighty and sways back and forth a couple of times. He then goes to visit all the birds on their perches, including any juveniles. This bird then went in search of food for the female.
Soon thereafter, a new set of birds became a couple, and she accepted this male. One of the birds is a subadult, the female.
We were later gifted with a Green Heron in nest 5, changing position. This is another time to thank the wind and our illustrious bird on it.
Therefore, we have two active nests, at least one with eggs. By now, we could have chicks in nest 4, but I cannot see yet.
Hope you enjoy what nature has brought, and thanks for viewing!
Dr. Deb
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Green Herons Shed Light On Another Clutch!
Clutch #2 Immature Green Heron
Clutch #1 Green Heron
Clutch #1 Green Heron
Ditto
Clutch 1 Members with Diamond Backed
Watersnake and Red Eared Slider
Adult Green Heron
Clutch 2 Green Heron
Ditto
Youngest Clutch #1 Member
Ditto
Ditto
Sub-Adult Green Heron
Adult Green Heron
Immature Clutch #2 Green Heron
Ditto, Pose #2
Ditto, Pose #3
Ditto
Ditto
Clutch #3 Green Heron
20' From Where I Stand at Heron Cove
Great Blue Heron
Photos From 06-24(Top) through 06-30-17
The young birds are growing quickly, which you can see if you look at the feathery white tufts
atop the Green Heron heads. The older they get, the less tufts are seen.
My biggest surprise came yesterday, when I saw that immature Green Heron nearly right over my head. What prompted me to look in that direction, is that the adults kept calling, and naturally I was curious regarding the reason. The youngster didn't seem to mind getting photographed.
Sub-adults now seem to be arriving for experience with parenting. These are last year's birds, who are just shy of a year old. If the rest of the summer stays as good as it is now, with plenty of food, they might have a clutch. There is a possibility that breeding season might even last a little longer.
Our infamous Great Blue Heron, who lives on the Cove out of breeding season, is getting impatient
for his domain. He has been coming by each day to sit for as long as he can.
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