March's Point Heron Colony
Live Heron Cam
This camera is active from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Sometimes we have the camera set to move to a different nest every few minutes and sometimes the image will not refresh if we are working with the video stream at the Reserve
To see streaming video, visit our exhibits at the Reserve.
(Please DO NOT click REFRESH on your browser.)
The heron colony on March's Point is believed to be the largest nesting area for Great Blue Herons in all of Western North America. Herons have nested at this site on Padilla Bay since the late 1970s. In 1984, just 42 nests were counted at this site, with a steady increase ever since. In 2006 Skagit Land Trust estimated over 700 active nests in the area!!!
Skagit Land Trust owns the land which supports part of the heronry and has developed conservation agreements with neighboring landowners and the City of Anacortes to further protect the habitat and nesting birds. The site also hosts an active bald eagle nest. Remarkably this robust nesting sanctuary sits in the midst of the City of Anacortes' Industrial Area. Due to the sensitivity of the nesting site, direct access to the heronry is not permitted.
March's Point is located near three productive estuary bays; Fidalgo, Padilla and Similk. These and the farm fields of the Samish and Skagit river deltas, provide herons with areas to hunt for fish, frogs and small mammals. The proximity of so much rich foraging habitat makes it ideal for finding enough food to satisfy hungry, young chicks.
Volunteer Opportunities
1. Skagit Land Trust conducts surveys of the nests every year after the leaves fall from the trees and before the herons return in the early spring. Volunteers systematically count the nests on the portions of the heronry owned by the Trust and cooperating neighbors. They record information about the nest trees and mark the trees with tags so their use can be traced year after year. For more information visit Skagit Land Trust.
2.
Volunteers are needed at Padeilla Bay Reserve to observe the live video images from the heron colony, capture video images of herons at all different stages of development and explain the project to visitors. If interested, please contact the Reserve.
Information about herons
Link to Seattle Audubon Society page about great blue herons.
Great blue heron - Ardea herodias (ARE-dee-ah her-ODE-ih-as) breed all across Washington State except at high elevations in the Cascades. They usually gather in colonies around late February to early March to build nests and find mates. Sometimes the population at a colony has been known to grow, decline or even disappear. <insert information about March's Point colony populations over the years and maybe another with decline like Point Roberts or Birch Bay>
Nests tend to be high in trees, sometimes many nests in one tree. They may be a flimsy collection of sticks 18 inches across or older nests, used year after year, may be bulky and up to 3 or 4 feet across. There are usually three to seven eggs per nest.
Eggs incubate in 25 to 29 days. Both parents sit on the eggs, turning them about every two hours with their bill. Both parents also help feed the young by regurgitating food such as fish into the mouths of the young.
Young birds begin to take flight about 60 days after hatching and abandon the nest after 64 to 90 days.
The oldest wild bird (banded) is believed to be 23 years though most only live to be about 15 years. The most difficult time for great blue heron survival is the first year. As many as 69% die before their first birthday. Dangers include cold, starvation and running into objects such as cars, tree limbs and power lines. Be very careful of approaching a wounded great blue heron. The beak will strike quickly with tremenous force.
Other live nature video cameras HeronCam in Victoria B.C.
WildWatchCams - various animals, including herons, in Washington State
View Nesting Birds - everything from penguins to sparrows
Osprey at Barbee Mill - Renton WA
Bald Eagle nest - Deschutes National Forest in Oregon
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