History of the Stow Lake Great Blue Heron Colony
Nancy DeStefanis, Executive Director of San Francisco Nature Education, discovered the first nesting pair in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, in June, 1993. The first nest yielded two heron chicks.
Since then, the great blue herons have nested successfully each year, producing 259 fledglings. In 1995, we had two nests- one nest produced two chicks but at the second nest, the parents took turns incubating eggs for SIX MONTHS! They finally called it a day in September. The late ornithologist Luis Baptista, Chair Ornithology Dept. at the Cal Academy of Sciences, said he thought our nest set the record for unsuccessful incubation!
Most years since 1993, we have had two or more nests. For several years, seven and eight nests were occupied producing more than twenty chicks!
The Heron Colony chronology and other information is available at www.sfnature.org under science.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Heron Website gives a great overview of the Great Blue Heron. Go to the website and read about habitat, food, nesting, behavior, conservation and backyard tips for the Great Blue Heron.
Since then, the great blue herons have nested successfully each year, producing 259 fledglings. In 1995, we had two nests- one nest produced two chicks but at the second nest, the parents took turns incubating eggs for SIX MONTHS! They finally called it a day in September. The late ornithologist Luis Baptista, Chair Ornithology Dept. at the Cal Academy of Sciences, said he thought our nest set the record for unsuccessful incubation!
Most years since 1993, we have had two or more nests. For several years, seven and eight nests were occupied producing more than twenty chicks!
The Heron Colony chronology and other information is available at www.sfnature.org under science.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Heron Website gives a great overview of the Great Blue Heron. Go to the website and read about habitat, food, nesting, behavior, conservation and backyard tips for the Great Blue Heron.