What are the goals and objectives of the NWR Great Blue Heron monitoring study?
To determine the reproductive success of the Great Blue Heron colony each nesting season using non-invasive and non-disruptive monitoring methods. b) To record Great Blue Heron activity at the nest colony. c) To determine the trend of reproductive success over time. d) To determine if external factors are affecting Great Blue Heron nesting success. e) To contribute data and share information regarding Great Blue Heron reproductive success or failure with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. • Can you describe your monitoring methods? Near the courtship and breeding time of year, knowledgeable volunteers record data when birds are observed congregating at the nest colony. One volunteer (the primary observer in past years) locates a position where they have an open view of the colony from approximately 100-150 yards away. They remain quiet while using a spotting scope to carefully watch and record activity and behavior data for members of the Great Blue Heron colony. The
