Great Blue Heron Returns to SouthCoast Rookery (March 21)
Blue skies, a stiff breeze and chilly temperatures greeted the first Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) who returned to the SouthCoast rookery this morning, March 21st. Soon followed by its mate, the pair naturally took residence in the best nest within the rookery.
SouthCoast Great Blue Heron Rookery
The Turtle Journal team has been following this major Great Blue Heron rookery on the SouthCoast since Spring 2012. Many pairs of Great Blue Herons compete in sometimes open battle with several pairs of Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) to raise their young in this perfect, well protected nursery habitat. (See Great Blue Heron Rookery on Massachusetts SouthCoast.)
Great Blue Heron Occupies Disputed Nest
The Great Blue Heron pair this morning assumed occupancy of the best and most disputed nest within the rookery. For the past two seasons, ospreys have evicted Great Blue Heron pairs from this nest. (See Aggressive Ospreys Evict Great Blue Heron Nesting Pair.) It will be interesting to observe whether the battle continues this year. For the nonce, though, with no ospreys in sight, Great Blue Herons are in charge.