SARA Species of Special Concern
Life stage and activities observable in the fall: adults fishing and hunting at the edges of the ocean, lakes and ponds

Elegant and graceful are two words that perfectly characterize the Great Blue Heron. With their tall body, long legs, and “S” curved neck, these birds wade into the water effortlessly to fish and hunt for food during the fall. The Great Blue Heron has feathers of blue and grey, a long thick bill, and a white head and face. They can be found in estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, beaches, and ponds. During the breeding season, they create large nests crafted with sticks, branches, and boughs high up in trees away from human disturbance.

The Great Blue Heron lives on a diet of primarily fish, but also enjoys frogs, insects, and rodents. Astonishingly, these birds can live for upwards of 17 years or more. While herons in the Fraser Valley and elsewhere can live in large colonies, herons in the Islands Trust Area frequently nest in trees in small colonies or single nests, sometimes near homes and businesses.

How to Help the Great Blue Heron

• Whether you’re on your own property or recreating in the Islands Trust Area, avoid disrupting Great Blue Heron habitat and keep noise to a minimum in nesting areas. When visiting parks and open nature reserves, stay on authorized trails and keep your dog on leash and cleaned up after.
• If you observe a Great Blue Heron, enjoy from a distance. Contribute your observations through iNaturalist, eBird, Merlin, or by sending an email to SAR@islandstrust.bc.ca.
• Learn more about the Great Blue Heron in the Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia.