Great Blue Heron didn't migrate?
Jan 1, 2017 19:12:43 #
This great blue heron photo was taken Friday in Jacksonville,Il. Most have left the area 2 months ago. I have no idea why this one is still here. It seems healthy and is able to fly.
Jan 1, 2017 19:53:25 #
He likes having the buffet all to himself! Cool shot. We get to enjoy them year round, but Yakima winters are usually not terribly long or severe and the herons spend a lot of time finding rodents in fields, competing with the hawks for same.
Jan 1, 2017 20:07:45 #
melismus
Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country
Our great blues on the Chesapeake don't migrate: they are here year around.
Jan 1, 2017 20:23:52 #
Sugar'sDaddy wrote:
This great blue heron photo was taken Friday in Jacksonville,Il. Most have left the area 2 months ago. I have no idea why this one is still here. It seems healthy and is able to fly.
It's probably a juvenile GBH. They don't know what to do the first or second year and don't have urges to mate because they are so young.
Jan 1, 2017 20:39:06 #
Sugar'sDaddy wrote:
This great blue heron photo was taken Friday in Jacksonville,Il. Most have left the area 2 months ago. I have no idea why this one is still here. It seems healthy and is able to fly.
Excellent image, Donnie and guess maybe its staying put until the food gives out or the water freezes over!
Jan 1, 2017 20:48:51 #
Jan 1, 2017 20:52:21 #
Jan 1, 2017 20:58:00 #
Old Timer
Loc: Greenfield, In.
I saw one today in flight here in Indiana. Some times they do not migrate, especially in mild winters.
Jan 1, 2017 21:21:12 #
Ever heard the term Snowbird?
Seriously, migratory patterns of birds have changed as the climate changes.
Seriously, migratory patterns of birds have changed as the climate changes.
Jan 1, 2017 23:00:05 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
He likes having the buffet all to himself! Cool shot. We get to enjoy them year round, but Yakima winters are usually not terribly long or severe and the herons spend a lot of time finding rodents in fields, competing with the hawks for same.
Thank you Linda! My friend who lives there, said he did disappear for a few days when the lake froze over. He must of fed on rodents like you said during that time.
Jan 1, 2017 23:04:55 #
[quote=melismus]Our great blues on the Chesapeake don't migrate: they are here year around.[/quoteT
Thank you melismus for your reply! I thought all of them did in our climate, but apparently I was wrong, but the vast majority has left.
Thank you melismus for your reply! I thought all of them did in our climate, but apparently I was wrong, but the vast majority has left.
Jan 1, 2017 23:08:14 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
It's probably a juvenile GBH. They don't know what to do the first or second year and don't have urges to mate because they are so young.
Thanks jeep_daddy! I'm not sure how to tell the difference, but I thought this might be a juvenile. Makes sense what you say.
Jan 1, 2017 23:11:46 #
Swamp-Cork wrote:
Excellent image, Donnie and guess maybe its staying put until the food gives out or the water freezes over!
Thank you Swamp-Cork! So far, the lake has only been frozen for a few days, so he is eating well. Like Linda said, he must be feeding on rodents when it is frozen.
Jan 1, 2017 23:14:14 #
kpmac wrote:
I don't know why he stayed but you sure took advantage. Excellent shot.
Thanks kpmac! And thanks to my friend in Jacksonville who alerted me to the GBH.
Jan 1, 2017 23:17:45 #
Keldon wrote:
Really nice shot.
Ours are here (south/central BC) year round as well.
Ours are here (south/central BC) year round as well.
Thank you Keldon! I'm learning some new things about the GBH behavior here.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.