​Heron Watch – our two month program of showing the Great Blue herons and their chicks at Blue Heron Lake was a huge success this year. Volunteers staffed high powered spotting scopes and answered questions at two locations: Blue Heron Lake Boathouse- four active nests and Heron Island #2 located near the Waterfall with one active nest!

We were able to show the four nests on the large Pine Tree on the island opposite the Boathouse. Each nest held approximately 3 chicks for a total of 12 chicks! The last chicks left by June 12th.

Around the corner, on an island near the waterfall with one dead tree and one healthy tree, a pair of Great Blue Herons built a nest with 3 chicks. The Herons have nested in the healthy tree since 2024. On April 23, 2026, after a few days of rain, the nest fell about 3 feet down and lodged on another branch! Unfortunately, one chick fell out and perished. The remaining two chicks fledged by May 15th.

On this same island, we spotted another pair building a nest in the same tree on 4/25/26. The pair were last seen on May 2nd, then abandoned the nest shortly after.

2026 was a banner year for the Blue Heron Lake herons- 5 nests with 14 chicks! The photos of the herons at both islands are featured on this page! 
Nancy H. DeStefanis 6/30/26