The Great Blue Heron Rookery Project monitors the courtship, nesting and breeding of great blue herons on the James River in Richmond, Virginia. Learn more. I go most every year in search of nesting herons. Young herons are able to fly in about 60 days. Not very often do I find myself in the woods unable to hear a road or construction or other signs of humans, so the silence set an eerie, but pleasant, tone for the adventure. There is a highway running past the swamp which provides a 75-100 foot . Larry was using his Canon 80D with a Tamron 150-600 mm lens. The main (east) parking lot is gravel and is large enough for buses & RV's to park. As I was observing the pair, I noticed another pair of hoodies performing exactly the same pattern: female perches on a tree or stump above the water, female takes off from perch to look into a hole (checking on the same hole each time), male follows in flight and lands in water below the female, repeat. Length: 46 - 52 in (117 - 132 cm) Weight: 128 oz (3628 g) Wingspan: 77 - 82 in (196 - 208 cm) Great Blue Herons remain in most US states all year, but those that breed in the Mid-West and Canada migrate south. Provisional species count in official eBird totals. Even the wind had the day off. The size of the cavity can range from 3-5 inches. Change portal to: Due to the erosion of the islands and loss of trees, artificial nesting platforms were installed that provided new nesting spots. Great blue herons are very tall birds (about 4 feet! Naturalized: Exotic population is self-sustaining, breeding in the wild, persisting for many years, and not maintained through ongoing releases (including vagrants from Naturalized populations). Instead, there is a pull-off from the road where you can take in the scope of the sanctuary, including a large heron rookery. Box 154, Manchaug ~ Massachusetts 01526, Herons, Manchaug Pond, and the Neighboring Rookery, 2023 Runner/Walker Registration for The DAM Race 5K Run, 3K Health Walk, 2023 Sponsorship of The DAM Race 5K Run, 3K Health Walk, Paddle Reflector Kit & "If Found" Contact Info Sticker, A Heron on a dock on Manchaug Pond archive photo, Heron rookery located just outside Manchaug Pond watershed in Oxford, Massachusetts. Several species that linger into winter are very uncommon in that season in Worcester County: Gray Catbird, Hermit Thrush, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. The Turtle Journal team discovered a major great blue heron ( Ardea herodias ) rookery (heronry) this afternoon, April 2nd alongside a fresh water pond in Marion on the South Coast of Massachusetts. The first specimen we spotted (shown above) stood still and tall in a completed nest atop pine tree abutting the lake. At first, the young are nearly helpless, and both parents are kept busy supplying them with regurgitated food. Active beaver dams, which form a wetland complex ranging from open water to forested swamp. Keep looking to the left and you will see a large area of water and dead trees. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. A driveby reveals the adults standing tall in the nest with other adults flying east to and from area ponds and wetlands. Instead, she flew from her branch to a neighboring snag and clung to the rim of a big, circular hole about 20 feet in the air. Ardea herodias. This website is managed by Ken Ostermiller, Adam Jackson, and other volunteers. Birding Hotspots Where to Go Birding. Your donation will go toward enhancingthe Forest Preserve's education, conservation and recreation programs. The south trail descends steep stair-like rocky ledges along stone walls in hickory-hornbeam forest and a shrub meadow with bayberry and shining sumac. Support the Forest Preserve District by making a donation to the Nature Foundation of Will County. Great blue herons feed mainly on fish, but their diet also includes, crabs, insects, frogs, snakes, salamanders, grasshoppers, dragonflies, aquatic insects, and, occasionally, small rodents. Counts of Foss Reservoir are difficult to do because of geography (bordered by private corporate land, Mass Pike, and Route 9). The rookery is agog with usually 40+ nests. They winter over much of its breeding range, which extends as far south as the West Indies and the Galapagos Islands. But, as I dug more into the hoodies life history, the less sense this occurrence made. Round-leaved Violet blooms and White-tailed Deer trails frequently cross the path. When applicable, eBird generally defers to bird records committees for records formally considered to be of "uncertain provenance". This astonished me. A network of trails maintained by the DCR is found on the eastern shore. Adult herons flew in and out of the colony, their long . My only explanation for now, before I get onto the university WiFi and can access the Birds of North America journal, is that the ducklings had already hatched and the female (momma) was checking up on her babies every-so-often. Length: 1/2 mile The conservation area has several lovely trails to be enjoyed throughout the seasons. Macaulay Library ML564035681; Mark Rosenstein; Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States Wear adequate footwear as the trail can be muddy and slippery in sections. Intensity: Short loop trail, moderately steep, in an upland meadow.Details: Frequent benches along the mowed path provide for rest and observation, including expansive views, highly colorful in fall. In case of an emergency or to report a crime, call 1-800-PARK-TIP. 17540 W. Laraway Road,Joliet, IL 60433 I felt lucky to have witnessed this behavior and wondered how many before me had stood along the edge of this pond, watching in amazement as the drake seemingly chased the tree-perching hen through the air. The challenge is to navigate the wetlands, closed roads, and other impediments to locate the heron, but it is so worth the effort! Intensity: Short trail, with a steep section and occasional difficult rocky footing, which traverses former sheep pasture and is now forested with clumps of Grey Birch and Red Oak.Details: Porcupine and Bobcat tracks are frequent in snow; warbler watching is superb in May and September. From across the water (a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the birds), we observed the goings-on through our binoculars. Intensity: Short, steep trail.Details: Takes you to the edge of a beaver-created wetland where dead white pine trees once supported a rookery of great blue herons. Instead, there is a pull-off from the road where you can take in the scope of the sanctuary, including a large heron rookery. Length: 1/2 mile Eventually, small fish are simply deposited in the nest for the chicks to pick up. This IBA is a portion of the watershed of the Sudbury and Foss Reservoirs (18,000 acres), an emergency water supply for eastern Massachusetts. and stay for the verdant spring and summer wildlife. Site-specific information is visible only to the observer and eBird reviewer(s) for the region.We encourage you not to share specific location information about this sighting via social media, public websites, or email listservs.Learn more about Sensitive Species in eBird. The conservation area has several lovely trails to be enjoyed throughout the seasons. Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Visitor Center is located on Renwick Road, east of Route 30, in Plainfield. Checklists submitted within the last hour are not shown. The silence was replaced with fascination. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. With a good pair of binoculars, the breeding colony can be seen . Today I witnessed behavior that I have not observed before, and what the birds had to offer added fuel to my curiosity in the avian world. Part of a wildlife corridor between Pleasant Valley and Pittsfield State Forest, and located within the Berkshire Wildlife Linkage Area. In 2002, a major restoration of the preserves islands and nearby property enhanced breeding and feeding areas for the birds. Sanctuary Highlights Active beaver dams, which form a wetland complex ranging from open water to forested swamp. A heron on a fallen tree on Aldrich Mill Pond just up from Manchaug Pond. Details: The trail ends at Gates Road, providing a connection to the Town of Princetons Four Corners Conservation Area. It is moments like these that reiterate the feeling that I will never stop observing, questioning, and learning from birds, and for that, I am grateful. Ticks are present year-round. They represent an ability to progress and evolve. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Industrial development near the Foss Reservoir is extensive and care needs to be taken to prevent point pollution. The site is a hotspot for winter waterfowl by the thousands, at times and for songbirds during the warmer months. The nests are added to each year, eventually becoming very bulky and measuring up to four feet in diameter. The two flew around the pond in its entirety, male closely behind female, until the female landed on a high branch on a snag in the open water, and about 15 feet from where I stood on the shore. The year before, in 2017, herons mysteriously abandoned the second known rookery in Skagit County, at Samish Island. In my past experience with hoodies, I had observed them in bodies of water without standing trees, so seeing one in a tree really peaked my curiosity. Intensity: Long, moderately sloped trail with occasional steep sections and difficult footingDetails: Mature forests dominate, with hermit thrush, black-and-white warbler, and red-eyed vireo along this secluded path. The stream that gave the sanctuary its name has been home to industrious beavers for more than 50 years. The great blue heron is the largest north American heron. Usually four eggs are laid, and, after about 28 days, the hatchlings emerge. Disponible avec les licences LD et DG. The most common place to find great blue herons is at the edge of a wetland, where they will stand stock-still, tracking the movements of fish and frogs and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. CCX News shot video of the heron rookery in early May. The young do not breed until they are at least two years old. Intensity: Medium length and moderately steep trail with some difficult footing in mature forests.Details: Bordering stone walls were once the sanctuarys boundary. Watch for pink ladys-slippers in May. If you have this problem, try scaring it away by going outside and shoutingmost get the message after a few repetitions and don't come back. Close. 815-727-8700 In addition to Manchaug Pond, herons are frequent visitors to Aldrich Mill Pond at the inlet of Manchaug, the bordering trout ponds on the Beaton Farm Property in Sutton as well as neighboring Stevens Pond downstream and Oxfords Robinson Pond west of the rookery. Great blue herons nest communally in "rookeries" or "heronries" containing up to 50 pair. Sensitive Species (date, location, and observer information is restricted). Tracy Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Richmond is a wetland surrounded by woodlands. The Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Visitor Center is located at Lake Renwick Preserve Heron Rookery Nature Preserve, which offers the following amenities and activities: Hiking/running Wildlife viewing Fishing, bicycles and pets are not allowed in the nature preserve. As I left the edge of the pond and headed into the forest, I could hear the whistling of the hoodies in flight. For your safety and to avoid conflicts with wildlife, we ask that you please: Subscribe to our e-news for the latest events, updates and info. Length: 0.7 miles Please stay on the trail and respect closed area signs. Restoring and stabilizing the island's main channel side is a significant team effort and involves creating a rock and living shoreline using 300 tons of material and native plants. Migrating great blues arrive in New England as early as the latter part of March, and migrate southward between mid-July and late September. Length: 0.8 miles #1 of 2 things to do in Georgetown Nature & Parks, Nature & Wildlife Areas Bear Hill Road, Georgetown, MA 01833 Save 584 248 go for the blue heron rookery. Intensity: Medium length, flat trail with moderate footing.Details: White pine, black cherry and clumps of Intermediate woodfern abound. . The American beech grove and eastern hemlock stand are home to pileated woodpecker, and mountain laurel woods support snowshoe hare. The alternate (west) parking lot is gravel and has room for only 4 cars. Gregarious Great Blue Herons. Intensity: A medium length trail, moderately steep, with uneven footing around frequent rocks and roots. Intensity: Short and easy link to a bench and overlook on a human-made pond now inhabited by beavers.Details: Evidence of current and older beaver activity abounds; wet meadow plants are luxurious in the beaver created openings. Wachusett summit. Copyright 2023 The Forest Preserve District of Will County. PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE ON THIS VISITOR CENTER'S INTERACTIVE MAP. The preserveoffersoutdoor facility rentals for groups. Length: 1 mile Herons typically use the same rookery every year until eventually the trees collapse. Systematic point counts are of the Sudbury Reservoir section only and were conducted by the authors for the past 10 or so years. The photograph above shows the rookery across the pond from the pathway. Its located in dense swamp land with extremely limited access. The pond itself lies about aquarter mile from an active cranberry bog operation to the northeast, and a half mile from the Sippican Harbor estuary to the south.Visit Turtle Journal soon. We hope to have updates on the progress of these nests through the spring. Great Blue Herons are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Escapee exotics do not count in official eBird totals. Blackburnian warblers are frequent in the pines. The silence of the Wollomonopoag Conservation Area was interrupted by my exclamations of confusion and intrigue. Facilities No restrooms or potable water. Length: 0.6 miles According to North American Native tradition, the great blue heron brings messages of self-determination and self-reliance. There is a heron rookery in the wetland north of MA-117. This Sanctuary uses a blue/yellow trail marking system. The old Farm Pond has huge Bullfrogs. I pictured the female landing in a snag and the male floating below. The challenge is to navigate the wetlands, closed roads, and other impediments to locate the heron, but it is so worth the effort. The stillness of the water combined with the silence of my surroundings made me feel free and intimately connected with the environment in which I sat. The secluded bench provides excellent opportunities . Their impressive size and graceful flight have won them many admirers. Besides the concentration of waterfowl, there is the Great Blue Heron rookery (four nests and increasing) on an island in the southern section of the Sudbury Reservoir. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I go most every year in search of nesting herons. Settings were ISO 2500, 1/320 of a second at F16, and the lens was set at 552mm. Heron rookery located just outside Manchaug Pond watershed in Oxford, Massachusetts As you head west on Central Turnpike you'll enter Oxford, passing Douglas Pike and Joe Jenny Road on the left. I did not hear any cries coming from the cavity, but that does not mean that they were not there. Exotic species flags differentiate locally introduced species from native species. The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Hikers will pass the covered bridge featured on the cover of Hampstead's 2014 town report, then on to the. If that doesn't work, you can place several 18-inch-high stakes around the pond. Dead trees also supply habitat for hooded merganser, brown creeper and great horned owl. The image of a second and then a third heron emerged from the camouflage of nearby trees. (Click on the above photograph to enlarge. To my surprise, she was followed by a male hoodie. Those dead trees now bear the large stick nests of herons! Length: 0.2 miles Also, it is common to see a bald eagle or two at Lake Renwickmost of the year. The pond supports wood ducks, black ducks and mallard. Dahl said prolonged human noise, predators or some. Length: 1.8 miles Press ESCAPE to close. In addition, it would be late in the season for the female to be establishing a nesting site, so it is unlikely that she was scoping out a cavity for nesting. Using 3-inch-wide, silver mylar tape (found with the crepe paper in party-supply stores) crisscross the pond a number of times, securing the tape to the stakes. Illustrated Checklist. Explore a complete list of bird species observations in this area. Poison ivy can be present on the edges of the trail. A giant Sugar Maple resides along the pathway. Subscribe to our e-news for the latest events, updates and info. Secluded benches and a platform overlook the 85-acre beaver marsh.Details: Great habitat diversity supports equally diverse assemblages of organisms, including huge frog populations, spring wildflowers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and mushrooms amidst boulder outcrops, stream crossings, and meadows. The male hoodie must have been behind some reeds or a downed log, as I did not see it while scanning the water. The Great Blue Heron has a white morph subspecies called the Great White Heron in Florida. Going off trail damages fragile habitat. Great blue herons nest communally in "rookeries" or "heronries" containing up to 50 pair. Great blue herons have straight, daggerlike bills for spearing fish, and adults have thin black plumes swept back behind their heads. In this one, for instance, this colony of nests are in several Sycamore trees located in a swamp. The return of beavers to Massachusetts, as well as more stringent protection of both the herons themselves and the wetlands they depend on,resulted in a huge upsurge in heron numbers. Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Restroom - Seasonal, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Prohibited Littering, hunting, and removing plants. Donate to the Friends of the Forest Preserve Foundation, to the Friends of the Forest Preserve Foundation, PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE ON THIS VISITOR CENTER'S INTERACTIVE MAP. Length: 0.2 miles Intensity: Short, steep trail. Length: 0.2 miles As I arrived to the open water with dozens of snags, I was struck by silence. The photos were taken on July 4, 2022, in the late afternoon at a small pond with a heron rookery in Milford, NH. The visitor center is free of charge; hours are limited to guided tours and public programs only. Subscribe to our e-news for the latest events, updates and info. Enter your email to subscribe to our website receiving our posts by email. Tracy Brook feeds into the 218-acre Richmond Pond. Babies can be seen on the nests at the Great Blue Heron Rookery at Carter Fields in North Andover. Nestling and fledgling mortality is attributed to a number of causes including starvation, falling out of a nest, predators (such as raccoons and foxes), and disturbance by people in the rookeries. Intensity: Short trail with difficult footing on stepping stones in a wetland.Details: A meadow of common milkweed leads to a seep where yellow birch and Eastern Hemlock grow among spring-fed mossy rocks. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Both comments and pings are currently closed. Other waterfowl species not listed below that regularly migrate through this area include: Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant (generally fewer than 20), Canada Goose (counts of 160 to 290), Mallard (counts of 50), American Black Duck (generally fewer than 10 per day), Green-winged Teal (small numbers), Hooded Merganser (typically 20 to 50 per daily count), American Coot (daily counts in fall range from 2 to 12). Then, I heard something. She paid him not attention. The lake provides critical nesting and migratory stopover habitat for many birds. blue-headed vireo, winter wren and black-throated green warbler are frequent. Northern goshawks have nested in the past. Dead trees also supply habitat for hooded merganser, brown creeper and great horned owl. I hoped that she was alright and decided to focus on her story. Please note that there are no trails at Tracy Brook. Mass Audubon is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 04-2104702) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The sanctuary lies within a state-designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern and supports moose, beavers, and porcupines, as well as nearly 100 species of birds and more than 240 plant species. As we silently watched and snapped pictures of the herons, a large bird flapped its enormous wings and hovered near another. Quickly this bird took flight with raucous rasping honks in off-beat duet with its amorous companion. The two glided like pterodacyls to the far shore of the pond where they engaged in mating rituals. Among the many specific of birds that can be seen at Lake Renwick are great blue herons, great egrets, black-crowned night herons and double-crested cormorants. Mass Audubon is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 04-2104702) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Other birds recorded at Lake Renwick include great horned owls, American white pelicans, eastern bluebirds, purple martins and Baltimore orioles. Years ago, friends and I spotted a group of huge nests high in the trees along the edge of a large pond: a great blue heron rookery. Beaver Pond, Heron Rookery, Wildflowers Abound Beaver Pond Conservation Area | Merrimac Property Description & History This beautiful property on two sides of Battis Road abuts the 311-acre Merrimac Town Forest, where Cobbler's Brook winds its way through mature woodlands and boggy wetlands on its way to the Merrimac River. Length: 1.2 miles Traditionally Indigenous Territory Nipmuc Wabanaki Confederacy More Stats for Heron Rookery Trail hike trail trail Altitude change -53 ft Altitude min 980 ft Altitude start 1,033 ft Altitude end 981 ft Donations to Mass Audubon are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. The meadow supports Harris checkerspot, eastern bluebird, meadow foxtail, orchard grass, wildflowers, and butterflies. Welcome to the MANCHAUG POND FOUNDATION, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity dedicated to the preservation and correct use of Manchaug Pond and its watershed. The "blue" for which the species is named is pale and subdued, and often appears gray or black in poor light. Other wildlife observed here includes bear, bobcat, and otter as well as a variety of waterfowl and turtles. Then she flew around the pond, followed by the same male, and returned to the hole yet again. Both spring and fall, this site hosts large numbers of migratory waterfowl including significant numbers of Ring-necked and Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, mergansers, and American Coots. Additionally, 65 acres within the preserve were transformed from farmland to a grassland and wetland habitat. A fourth heronabout 50 feet to the left of the three herons pictured above appeared to be building or strengthening its nest. Before securing it, twist the mylar tape a few times and leave some slack so it moves in the breeze and reflects the light. Although they will happily feed in backyard ponds and rivers in urban areas, the approach of humans tends to startle them, causing them to fly awaywhile uttering a gravelly croak. The Sudbury Reservoir is fed by the Assabet River to the east. Simon Tracy and his family were some of the earliest local settlers of Yokuntown (now incorporated as Richmond), and they operated a sawmill along the brook. Waterfowl species not typically found in central Massachusetts that have appeared in just the last few years include: Canvasback, Redhead, and Eurasian Wigeon. Human disturbance is growing, as the area becomes better known to hikers, joggers, and fishermen. This is an unequivocally increasing species in Massachusetts. Length: 1 mile Female. The rookery is agog with usually 40+ nests. In a typical brood, only two young survive. Turtle Journal usually works along side these magnificent birds during the summer as we do our marine turtle research in the salt marshes of Cape Cod and the South Coast. Its a rare treat to find a great blue heron rookery so close to home base. Hopefully, well be able to document hatching and then fledging of the next generation of great blues. Prohibited Bicycles and motorized vehicles. This particular heron rookery island is positioned on the main channel in Davidson Creek, where there is heavy boating traffic and wind-generated waves. Only open during program dates/times as listed in the Event Calendar. The Turtle Journal team discovered a major great blue heron (Ardea herodias)rookery (heronry) this afternoon, April 2nd alongside a fresh water pond in Marion on the South Coast of Massachusetts. The first specimen we spotted (shown above) stood still and tall in a completed nestatoppine tree abutting the lake. . At least nine individuals visible in this shot. It is illegal to capture, possess, or cause harm to a Great Blue Heron or its nest or eggs. To date, 200 species have been documented at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery. We especially liked Rubbish Meadow with its Great Blue Heron rookery and other nesting birds. In awe, I watched as she used her webbed feet to support herself against the tree and also to hoist herself up, extending her neck into the hole. Spring fed Black Pond, and South Wachusett Brook are pristine waters. Length: 0.4 miles The following navigation uses TAB to navigate through link items and ENTER or SPACE to open sub-navigation. Only the pure white great egret approaches this stature among other Massachusetts birds. Traffic along Routes 9 and the MassPike, which run adjacent to the reservoirs, may provide other sources of pollution. 166 views 1 year ago WOLLOMONOPOAG CONSERVATION AREA Every Spring we head over to Wollomonopoag Conservation Area in Wrentham Massachusetts to the Great Blue Heron Rookery. [?] The Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Visitor Center is located at Lake Renwick Preserve Heron Rookery Nature Preserve, which offers the following amenities and activities: Fishing, bicycles and pets are not allowed in the nature preserve. Piping Plovers Foraging on Barnstables Sandy Neck, Nest Building at the Great Blue Heron Rookery . View a detailed map of the Heron Rookery Trail. Lake Renwick is one of the unique sites in Illinois where these species of birds can be seen nesting together. The increase in beavers in Massachusetts has resulted in swamps where trees have died, creating ideal habitat for nesting great blue herons. Explore 12 miles of trails at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary! My eye was then drawn to disorderly head of feathers-- the crest of a female Hooded Merganser. Not a bird, but a sound that brought my attention to the unusual phenomena I was about to encounter. They have yet to return. Do NOT bring injured or orphaned wildlife to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. To see where they are nesting, just take a car ride north and west of Manchaug Pond heading toward Oxford. I had never experienced anything of the sorts before, especially with a diving duck that I had only seen in open water. After 27 days of incubation, the eggs will hatch with beautiful white baby chicks. In Winton Woods park, the adult herons will lay 2-6 pale blue eggs. Pets Permitted on a leash (6' or shorter). Trail Surface Packed dirt and clay. Provisional: Either: 1) member of exotic population that is breeding in the wild, self-propagating, and has persisted for multiple years, but not yet Naturalized; 2) rarity of uncertain provenance, with natural vagrancy or captive provenance both considered plausible. Difficulty Easy with no change in elevation. August 16-February 28: 8 a.m.-Sunset. North Andover, MA 01845 Phone: 978-946-2000 Email: news@eagletribune.com. She left the hole and landed in a snag at the other end of the pond. Skip to content Skip to results Cornell Lab sapsucker logo Cornell Lab of Ornithology logo eBird Menu Menu Home Submit Explore My eBird Science About The trail continues north off sanctuary 2.5 miles to the Mt. I found that hoodies, like Wood Ducks, nest in cavities or nest boxes that are near water. Shortest route to Otter Pond. Intensity: Long, steep and often wet trail that follows a historic section of Goodnow Road, once a stagecoach path to Templeton and still enclosed with high stone walls. It has been here for years. We hiked for about 4 miles on a warm day, then headed off to North Andover for a late lunch. They fly quite far afield in search of food during the breeding season, and can often be seen flying at sunrise or sunset on huge, ponderous wings, with their long legs trailing behind and their necks curled back to tuck their head above their shoulders. At around 90 days, they become independent and disperse throughout New England and beyond. The secluded bench provides excellent opportunities for photography and observation. Observed flying between snags that sit in an open pond. I pictured the families of Great Blue Heron sitting in their massive, woody nests. Herons are a common sight on Manchaug Pond: fishing coves, standing on docks and shoreline boulders and flying low over the water to a quiet place. Donations to Mass Audubon are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. ) Within a few minutes we were able to identify at least six (6) herons roosting on nests within about an acre immediately adjacent to the far side of this small pond. We could only distinguish nests and birds near the pond; there could have been numerous other nests hidden from view.