Heron Rookeries Erected on Lake Norman, North Carolina
OutdoorHub 07.22.13
Project Part of large-scale Habitat Enhancement Effort for Catawba River
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation and its local wildlife chapter, the Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists, erected two heron rookeries on Lake Norman to provide much need nesting opportunities for protected colonial waterbirds.
Volunteers from the Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists, with help from certified biologists, designed and constructed the platforms and the Lancaster Custom Dock & Lift Systems, Inc. erected the 30-foot poles and attached the 18 nesting platforms.
“Today is another good day for those who appreciate and value the wildlife of Lake Norman,” says Tim Gestwicki, CEO of the NC Wildlife Federation. “Working with dedicated volunteers and professional wildlife biologists, these projects benefit everyone from anglers to birders, osprey to great blue herons and boaters and wildlife enthusiasts.”
A grant from the Habitat Enhancement Program of the Catawba-Wateree is supporting the heron rookery initiative as well osprey nesting platform sites, wood duck nesting boxes, turtle basking platforms and efforts to enhance fish habitat and restore eroded shorelines. Colonial waterbirds, in general and on Lake Norman, have been identified as a priority conservation resource in the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan; thus, the 2 heron rookeries.
Duke Energy’s Shoreline Management Plan for Lake Norman, has implemented protection for these important heron rookeries found within the FERC Project Boundary. The specific rookeries (i.e., islands) are protected under the Colonial Waterbird Nesting Area Program. The boundaries of these habitat areas are posted and no entry is allowed during the water bird nesting season from April through August.
Great blue herons (Ardea herodius) are listed by the NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) as a vulnerable species in the Piedmont due to loss and fragmentation of habitats by development along rivers, reservoirs and adjacent floodplain forests. This species nests in colonies known as “rookeries” or “heronries” which can contain many nests thus they are classified as colonial nesting waterbirds. The species is protected under Migratory Bird Protection laws with additional protections (no entry) for nesting sites between April and the end of August. In colonies with many nests and potential nesting sites, males select and defend the highest nest sites. In defending selected sites, male birds put on a grand displays accompanied by shrieking in order to attract females. Males gather material and females build the nest. They build large, bulky nest of sticks, lining the interior with twigs, moss, and pine needles. Both adults then care for the hatchlings (generally 3-5) within the rookery until they are ready to fledge. The North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan calls for priority research, survey and monitoring efforts for heron rookeries.
