The Return of the Great Blue Heron

by Justin Doyle, JRA Outreach Manager

Photo by Nick Kotula.

Similar to the population of Bald eagles, the Great blue heron population of the Chesapeake Bay region has increased dramatically since the late 1960s when the population reached a low. The steep population decline is attributed to the widespread use of the agricultural insecticide DDT, which was banned in 1972. Since then the Great blue heron population has rebounded and the number of breeding colonies has increased from a dozen to 407 according to a 2013 survey conducted by The Center for Conservation Biology, a collaboration between the College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Some of the best places to see Great blue herons on the James River are the falls of the James, specifically the Pipeline Walk in Downtown Richmond, and throughout the Lower James. A large heronry (rookery) exists on Vauxhall Island (or “Pterodactyl Island” as I like to call it) within the James River Park System, and is clearly visible from the Pipeline Walk. They are especially active during the spring months courting, mating, and nest-building, but can be seen throughout the year.

Another way to get up close and personal with a blue heron is to paddle or float above the fall line. If you put-in at Pony Pasture and float down to Reedy Creek, you will likely see at least one heron during the spring and summer months. They are commonly seen perching on rocks and wading in shallow water, oftentimes near rapids. If you are lucky, you might see one snatch a fish from the river.