Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan is a gift that keeps on giving. Today’s installment takes a look at the Great Blue Heron rookery in Wildwing Lake in mid-April. This Bucket is long on photos and short on text.
My first visit to Kensington was last fall in the Heron off season. They were long gone. Instead, the trees on the island served as a wide-angle perch for a Bald Eagle.
Spring saw the return of the Herons, as they began the process of rebuilding nests.
Great blue herons are colony nesters, meaning they nest with other herons, placing their large nests high up in trees in what is called a rookery or heronry. Often these herons place rookeries on small islands to protect themselves and their young from predators like raccoons, such as on the island at Kensington Metropark on Wildwing lake. Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Bird of the Week
A few days later, I was lucky to see a very industrious male comb the island shoreline, looking for suitable sticks. He would then fly in a wide arc up to the nest, and hand off the stick to the female, who tucked them into place. I’ll just let the ungainly elegance of these amazing birds tell their story through midair ballet.
It wasn’t long before the male brought a new stick.
What’s happening in nature in your neck of the woods?
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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