Give Blue Herons Room

BELLINGHAM – Springtime means breeding time for the great blue herons living in the Post Point Heron Colony, and people need to be aware that these creatures are very susceptible to disturbance. Blue herons utilize the beach adjacent to Marine Park to do necessary foraging for survival, and Fairhaven citizens need to be knowledgeable of their sensitivity, as disturbance during breeding season may lead to nest failure and colony abandonment, according to the Seattle Audubon Society for birds and nature.

Recorded human disturbances at or around Marine Park in the past include beach combing, clam digging, kayaking, trains, and educational groups, according to the 2009 annual Post Point Heron Colony report.

With the annual Ski to Sea race coming up over Memorial Day weekend there will be hundreds of people in and around Marine Park (the finish line) where the herons feed. This will amplify the human disturbance and is a greater reason why people should be aware of the vulnerability of these animals.

If intentional disturbance is observed people are asked to call Larry Bateman, Post Point Operations Supervisor at (360) 778 7852, or 9-11.

Post Point Heron Colony 2009 Monitoring Annual Report http://www.cob.org/documents/pw/environment/restoration/post-point-heronry-annual-report-2009.pdf

Bird Web

http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=41

Bellingham Herald Article http://infoweb.newsbank.com.ezproxy.library.wwu.edu/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=12710AFA1980A7F0&p_docnum=8&p_queryname=3