For bird fanciers

[Wiley]

Over the years I've had geese and ducks and peacocks. Of late I've had a Great Blue Heron decide that he likes my pond.

We have been developing our relationship for several months. I don't know his sex but refer to it as male. He's there because there are fish and although I have never seen him take one, I suspect he has..or at least has high hopes. I designed the pond so that he cannot wade and the height of the bank makes only the very edge of the water a kill zone. And rather than try to fence him out or scare him away I have decided I quite like his company and have worked to make him less fearful of me.

When first we met he would jump into flight and be gone at the first sign of my presence. Rarely I could get close enough for a good photo. Now he lets me walk as close as 40 ft before he starts getting anxious although by 30 ft he has had enough and is airborne.

Bests,
Wiley

Here are some photos I took this morning:

[Tscarborough]

Re: For bird fanciers

He is a juvenile, just stay in the general area, far enough so that he doesn't fly away and he will get used to you.

[oblertone]

Re: For bird fanciers

Have you been burying people in your garden ?

Re the bird: I'm not sure it is good for the bird to socialise him(?) with humans, not all are as thoughtful as you.

[Wiley]

Re: For bird fanciers

No, we haven't been burying people, but we have been called on at different times to dig a hole (not a problem with the excavator) to bury: 1 large donkey, several sheep and a large goat. All were animals of a neighbor who takes in beasts with social problems...biting, kicking or butting that sort of thing. The beasts get free care and die of old age.

A couple of days back I walked up to the garden on my morning rounds and the heron was at the end of the dock. He looked different, his head was a bit slumped forward and as got closer I couldn't see his eye. They are usually very attentive to their surroundings. He was sleeping! After a while he woke and tilted his head, looking at me with one eye and turning his head, the other. He then yawned a huge yawn (next thing I found myself yawning!) and calmly walked to the head of the dock and flew off.

My pond is too deep for him to wade with sides that are over 45 degree angles. I built the dock so that sitting the soles of one's feet barely touch the water when the pond is full so he is unable to nab fish standing on the dock. But the whole area is fenced so he is quite safe and very little could sneak up on him on the dock without his knowledge. I suspect he uses it for a place to nap. They usually roost in trees. Here's a photo I took of one last fall of one in a tree overlooking the pond.

We have lots of wildlife here on our small island. It's not uncommon to see coyotes, raccoons, or deer on our morning walks. A few years back we had a bear that swam over and visited chicken coops and trash cans for several days. He was eventually caught in a live trap in our next door neighbors yard and relocated. Also cougars visit from nearby Indian Island (connected by a causeway). As for raptors : Bald Eagles, Sharp Shin and Red Tail Hawks, and owls are common.

We feel very fortunate to live where we do. The great majority of people here enjoy and treasure the local wildlife, but we do have a few who shoot almost anything that moves.

Bests,
Wiley

[Gulf]

Re: For bird fanciers

Wiley,
This is a great! side thread to follow. I was just wondering if a small submerged deck or rock would help with the heron's feeding. I'm thinking something that could be removed fairly easily, if it became a problem.

Just thinking out loud,

Joe

[oblertone]

Re: For bird fanciers

Wiley, the 'burying' query related to the crosses evident in the background; your situation sounds idyllic for wildlife viewing and I'm sure the heron appreciates a resting spot. They are voracious feeders if the opportunity arises, one recently stripped a city pond in central London despite being overlooked by hundreds of office workers, including my son.

I deal with a quite different level of 'pond life' but only for another seven days as retirement beckons :-)

[Wiley]

Re: For bird fanciers

Oblertone, Congratulations on retirement! Long awaited I'm sure and richly deserved! What are your plans?

Regarding the "crosses" they are raspberry wire supports. Our pond borders upon our little orchard with berries between the trees and the pond itself.

Gulf, I must not have been clear. I specifically designed the pond to make it difficult if not impossible for herons to fish. I enjoy his/her/its presence, however, he is a wild animal, not a pet. In our house wild animals do not get names, he is simply "the heron" and likewise coyotes are referred to by their coloration or other distinguishing characteristic as in "the dark colored coyote" or "the big grey coyote". The heron is simply at my pond because there are fish in my pond which he would like to eat. When he finally realizes that he has minimal to no chance, he will concentrate his efforts elsewhere.

I keep fish in my pond for mosquito control and because I enjoy watching them. Here's a photo of a small school and why the heron took interest in our small pond.

We lose more fish to Kingfishers than any other reason. They too are beautiful to watch. On the plus side they do let you know when they are about making a very unbird like sound like a cheap New Years clacker. Once the fish get over a couple/three of inches in length they are too big for Kingfishers and larger predators get interested. We've had eagles sit and watch the pond although never have we seen them make a dive for fish here.

There are lots of ponds of varying sizes all over our small island. They are not hurting for food, but looking for the "easy catch". Here's a photo I took last year of a Great Blue Heron at a pond we pass on our morning walk.

Bests,
Wiley

[Wiley]

Re: For bird fanciers

The Great Blue heron has been absent for a couple of days, however, this morning while sitting at the computer there came a very loud rapping noise I traced to this fellow. He's a Pileated Woodpecker one of the largest woodpeckers in North America. The guidebooks list them as shy but around here they are not so much.

They are not uncommon here and it is strange but oddly normal to see/hear them rapping away at metal gates and the steel supports for insulators on power poles.

First photo is from inside our solarium, about six ft from where I sit at the computer. Second from outside and then a closeup. He hung there for about 20 minutes then flew off. My wife and I then took our morning walk. Upon our return he was in a dead tree not far from our home.

We leave a few dead trees standing as a food source for the woodpeckers.

Bests,
Wiley

[deejayoh]

Re: For bird fanciers

I have read that they bang on metal and the like for mating calls. Loud sounds attract females - at least in woodpecker world. I had a flicker that took a liking to the side of my house for the same reason. Caused about $1000 worth of damage before he found a mate. That part at least sounds like human behavior.

[Alomran]

I saw this hawk eating up a wood pigeon next to me garden, it flew away after I got too close to it, leavng the live pigeon still alive and I had to do the dirty work of killing the dying pigeon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Yx-NzbEYY&t=11s