2012-04-11 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Great Blue Heron Status, Peltier Lake Island, Feb 2012 Wayne LeBlanc The great blue herons on Peltier Island had a FANTASTIC 2011 summer! Thanks go to the city of Centerville, city of Lino Lakes, their Environmental Board, Anoka County Parks and volunteers for their support of the great blue herons. Protections and suport of the herons need to continue to try to reach previous numbers. Some people involved in helping the great blue herons are pictured: Marty Asleson (kneeling), Andy Von Duyke and his two daughters Anna and Ellie, Wayne LeBlanc, Joel Kilgore, Gary Averbeck and Dave Kilgore. Others, not pictured, include Barbara Bor, Glen Fuchs, Jeff Perry, Tim Sevcik, Ron Marier and Eaglebrook Church. Support includes flashing trees, installing signs, maintaining no -wake zone buoys and assembling stick piles for use as nesting material. Because of no leaves, exact nest counts can be made in winter. In 2011, the herons made 125 total nests and more than doubled the number of nests from 2010. In 2008, 2009, 2010 there were 58, 63, and 47 nests. On Jan 6, 2012, there were 125 total nests (121 full nests and 4 small nests). That's an increase of 80 nests or 170 %. That's just terrific! It might be that young herons from 2006 and on are maturing, coming back to the colony and nesting. Herons mature in their third spring. In 1996, the nest count was over 1,000, so there is a long way yet to reach original numbers. The herons moved into 36 new trees not occupied in 2010. The plan is to install new flashing in 15 of those trees with new nests to protect the herons from land bredators. The other 20 new nest trees already have flashin In June 2011, the estimated chick count was 70. But chick counts are difficult because foliage obscures the nests. Some years had storms and again, foliage and timing of the chick count can make for variable numbers. Years 2009 and 2010 may have been reduced due to weather or predators, it is difficult to say. In 2011, evidence shows great egrets returned for the first time in years which is more good news.