It’s hatching season, which means heron chicks are multiplying almost daily at Commodore Park.
It’s been an unusually busy nesting season at Commodore Park, with 42 active nests in the trees of the park and new ones being built every few days. So far, 45 chicks have hatched, according to volunteer heron monitor Eric Lanners.
Herons usually start nesting in February, but this year, the colony began at the end of March, which Heron Habitat Helpers organizer Marla Master says could be due to February’s snow or excessive noise with sewer work happening nearby.
“It is unusual that nests are still being built this late into the season,” Master says.
Many of the chicks, remarkably similar to small fuzzy dinosaurs, are now visible just over the edge of their large nests amongst the trees at the park.
With so many hungry chicks, the colony has been busy fishing at the Locks — Joyce Chase captured the below images.
To celebrate hatching season, the Heron Habitat Helpers will be hosting their annual Heron Chick Birthday Celebration, happening June 15 from 10am to 1pm at Commodore Park. (Follow the Heron Habitat Helpers on Facebook for more details.)
Featured photo by Eric Lanners