I discovered a roost in Pewaukee Wisconsin back in 2009. I followed it for a couple months. During that time I watch some of the nest building, adults sitting on eggs and feeding the young. I found out adults bring sticks and branches to the nest as maintenance continues on the nest until the young leave the nest. Food was being bought in from nearby lakes and steams as I watched the adult herons come with food from all directions to the roost area. In that spring I counted 34 nests in this rookery, 18 active. A couple of years later I returned to the area and it had changed drastically. Many of the trees had fallen and the area was no longer being used by the Great Blue Herons.
Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing to the nest
Great Blue Heron
Binomial name: Ardea herodias
Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies
Size: 46” long, 72” wing span
Weight: 5.3 lb
Great Blue Heron bringing in a small branch to the nest that must be in need of repair or made stronger or bigger as the young grow
Great Blue Heron just spending time by the nest
Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing near the nest
Great Blue Heron with young
Great Blue Heron near the nest
Great Blue Heron near the nest looking around
Great Blue Heron near the nest stretching
Great Blue Heron with young
Great Blue Heron feeding the young with a fish from a nearby lake, river or stream
Great Blue Heron with young
Great Blue Heron with young
Great Blue Heron with young
Great Blue Heron with young
Great Blue Heron near the nest just watching the young
Great Blue Heron rookery from a distance
Great Blue Heron rookery from a distance
Great Blue Heron rookery from a distance
Great Blue Herons watching the eggs in the nest
An airplane flies overhead and the young Great Blue Heron just look up and wonder
Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing at the nest
Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing at the nest
