Black Crowned Night-Heron Colony

[SusanT]

If you've ever wanted to see Black Crowned Night Herons up close and personal, now's a great time to see five adults, two juveniles, and soon, some hatchlings. They've built three nests in bald cypress trees on a small island in a neighborhood park's pond. Go to Northwest Park, in North Irving, along Cheyenne Street, just south of where it intersects with W. Rochelle. There's a basketball court and paved paths nearby as well as a large rec. center.

No scope needed; easy viewing with binocs. Tonight three of us enjoyed the activity from 6 to 7 PM. The two juveniles were especially fun to watch as one "jumped" about in the reeds, and then managed to get down the steep bank to a root where he balanced at the water's edge and tried to fish, or at least drink. The trees are not mature yet so the nests near the trunks manage to be about eye level; it's easy to get good views of all sides of the nesting adults.

Also in the pond were wigeons, gadwall, lesser scaup, mallards, pied-bill grebes, a great egret, many ring-billed gulls, and a few domestic ducks.

[Y Cymry]

I dropped by Northwest Park in Irving last Wednesday evening after work and stayed till about 7:20 pm when I lost the light for photography. This is a great place to photograph these birds on the nest without disturbing them since they are protected my a "moat" and are used to hundreds of people walking by every day. I had passed by this park before when sneaking in the back way to Irving Mall but had never thought to go back for birding. Thanks Susan and also Jason Ferguson for the original tip.

Most of the time I was there the heron dozed on the nest.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4488094836_8cfe02277d.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4488094836_b4764aa156_o.jpg

But every once in a while it would stand up to reposition sticks or eggs? in the nest.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4488094846_f071166659.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4488094846_5aba821e00_o.jpg

An adult and an immature (not in photo) rested in the brush on the island.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4488094824_9def96695f.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4488094824_487a5872b2_o.jpg


The second nest is a little harder to see, being hidden behind a tree trunk. I was there quite a while before I noticed the bird move.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4488094820_67c2c1bc12.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4488094820_f9e344467d_o.jpg

Worth a visit.

Cyn

[Y Cymry]

The best viewing and photography conditions are in the evening (5-7 pm) from the west side of the lake looking east to the island.

Cyn

[lulubelle]

Susan & I went there today and saw a total of 6 adults & 2 juveniles! As Susan pointed out to me, there are actually 3 nests! The nests are exceptionally well camoflauged for the size of bird. Kudos to Jason & Susan!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4488706470_65e30c334b.jpg

[thebestmissy]

I'm afraid I may not make it to Irving anytime soon, but to my surprise, I was driving home at around 6pm tonight, and there was a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in the bar ditch beside Timberview Golf Course, which is just south of I-20 off Anglin in far southeast Fort Worth. Beautiful bird! I nearly slammed on my brakes, but remembered there were cars behind me. I turned around when it was safe to do so, and got a better look before it flew out of site.

All the photos are gorgeous.