Hi there,

This is a little late but late last week I noticed that a pair of Green Herons had recently arrived at Brookside Nature Center's pond (in Wheaton Regional Park).  This weekend I watched both individuals snapping small twigs off the trees and adding them to a nest they've apparently been working on for a while, in the crown of a small, low tree overhanging the pond. One of them seemed a little clumsy--he (or perhaps she) would snip off a branch in his beak and stalk around with it for a while, but on several occasions the poor fellow accidentally dropped the twig into the water and would stare sadly after it as if pondering whether to dive in to retrieve it.  (They're rather skittish; I watched them for an hour when alone and they seemed to take little notice, but on Sunday, when I was leading a group of Pre-K kids on a hike around the pond, they took off in annoyance--as any self-respecting bird would!) 

Green herons have been here in years past, but my "Birds of Wheaton Regional Park" checklist doesn't show a record of them nesting here.  Out of curiosity, does anyone know when one can list a species as having nested somewhere? (i.e. does a pair have to successfully raise young, or is evidence of nest-building sufficient? Or should one look to see whether the bird is sitting on a nest, regardless of whether the eggs hatch?)  I'll certainly be keeping an eye on this pair for the next few weeks to see what develops!

Other news from the BNC pond: this season we've had a pair of tree swallows take up residence inside the brand-new wood duck nest box (dutifully installed by a local Eagle Scout).  The wood ducks investigated for a few days but ultimately ignored the custom-built digs; I presume they moved on to the more secluded Pine Lake. Quite roomy accommodations for the swallows! I have a feeling the babies ought to be fledging soon, though I'm not sure exactly when the family moved in. 

Thanks for reading! 
Claire Nemes
Rockville, MD