It's hard to get very close to these nests as they're very high up in the trees (except for one close to Wayne Avenue that is much lower, though well over the creek and out of human reach).  
 
That being said, I have been watching these nest sites this spring and am beginning to wonder if the birds have decided to move elsewhere.  
 
I noted the arrival of the first heron back on March 15, then counted as many as nine birds (this was on March 31). Since then, however, I have seen very few at any of the nest sites used in years past. I intend to get out this weekend to take a closer look and will report my findings. 
 
Before this year, there has always been a lot of activity around the nests (as many as 5 nests between Colesville Road and New Hampshire Avenue) - both avian and human. In fact, the site near Piney Branch Road is right next to a much used playground and a field where people run their dogs. If the nest sites have failed this year, it is for some other reason than human disturbance.  
 
Tom Stock 
Silver Spring 
 
 
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry 
 
-----Original Message----- 
From: "George M. Jett" <> 
 
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:04:23  
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] YCNH nest in sligo creek park 
 
 
Folks 
 
I know this area has a lot of human traffic and the birds are likely  
somewhat acclimated to humans, but please be respectful of the nest.  Keep a  
good distance.  Remember the normal human traffic continues to pass.  It is  
when we stop to watch that the birds take notice. 
 
George 
 
----- Original Message -----  
From: "Ugo Piomelli" <> 
To: <> 
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 9:36 AM 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] YCNH nest in sligo creek park 
 
 
Hello, 
 
There is at least one nest of YCNH in Sligo Creek Park this year.  You can 
see it from the bike path, between Wayne Ave and Piney Branch.  It is 
actually about halfway between Wayne and the bridge over the creek, on a 
tree on the east side of Sligo Creek Parkway, on a tree overhanging the 
parkway.  Click on this link for a map 
 
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101514343072754273629.00044b119659e46c57c2e&ll=38.998208,-77.009439&spn=0.008438,0.016458&z=16 
 
Ugo