Bird watchers of Ballard, this one’s for you: it’s heron nesting season, and the nesting colony at Commodore Park is absolutely buzzing.
Heron Habitat Helpers, in partnership with Seattle Urban Nature Guides and Discovery Park, has been hosting several pop-up events at Commodore Park to help educate the public about the nesting season.
At the pop-ups, there’s a table with information about herons — including a taxidermy heron, eggs, bones, a wing, plus photos. Volunteers also provide a telescope for the public to view the nests and nest-building, with naturalists on hand to answer questions.
Marla Master with Heron Habitat Helpers says they’ve so far counted 40 33 active nests at Commodore Park, with about four incubating eggs. Incubation is 27 days, which means the first chicks should hatch by the end of April. Master said they’ll have a birthday party at the park around the third week of May when most of the chicks have hatched — with free cake.
To stay updated on upcoming pop-up events, follow Heron Habitat Helpers on Facebook.
Photos of herons and pop-up event by Marla Master, photo of nests by Deborah Andrews Jacobsen
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Please keep your dogs away from wildlife refuges (aka our beaches) and bird nesting areas.
Because you dog fans care about nature sooooo much!
Who hurt you, Bucky?
This is great! I’ll be taking a day hike there this weekend to experience this. Thank you for the information.
Freja – there are also bald eagles nesting in a flat topped conifer on the Magnolia side of the opening to the locks. You can see them from the NorthWest 60th St. Viewpoint.
I’ve got a pair nesting about a block away as well. So cool!
Wow! Where is that?
Just east of Golden Gardens.
The crows harass them all day. Makes for fun times in the garden watching them.
Freja – “east of Golden Gardens” ” Were exactly? Is it near the North Beach Park? Or Crown Hill Glen?
Loyal Heights. Not really too keen on giving the trolls my exact address if you don’t mind.
Gotta love the Herons. Been going to Wild Birds Unlimited for some 25 years now, feeding/attracting all sorts of local and migratory birds. There are so many other species right under our noses right here in Ballard most never see or hear much about, such as the Bewick’s Wren. (pronounced Buick). They eat lots of bugs :)