[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
U.: " " ''" "'' ' .'"~rCE NOAA 223a > !L - - t IE CHARL.. -c &-413 THE GREAT BLUE HERONS OF NANJEMOY, MARYLAND PREPARED BY: STEVE CARDANO CALVERT R. POSEY, SR. PRICILLA MINNICH PAULA BATZER KATHY DAVIS Property o� CSC Library A PUBLICATION BY THE NANJEMOY CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CHARLES COUNTY EQ aLA PLATA, MARYLAND COASTAL ZONE INFORMATION CENTER I: ~ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CENTER 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413 W.P. Resource Contents Pre-Trip Activities 1. Great Blue, By Marnie Reed Crowell 2. Newspaper Articles, Maryland Independent and The Washington Post 3. Bill and Feet Adaptions Fill the Bill-Naturescope; Birds,Birds, Birds Feet are Neat-Naturescope; Birds, Birds, Birds The First Eden-Birds, The Remarkable Flying Machines Adapt-A-Bird Body-Tops Learning Systems 4. Video- "The Great Blue Heron" Charles County Board of Education, Instructional Materials Center, 20 Min. 5. Slides- The Nanjemoy Creek Heron Rookery Charles County Board of Education, Instructional Materials Center. Slides with script. Field Trip Activities at the Nanjemoy Heron Rookery U ~~~1. Fall-Winter Nest Counts 2. Egg Shell Remains Data Sheet For Measuring Thickness 3. Soil Testing Data Sheet I ~~~4. Other Field Trip Ideas List *The Nanjemnoy Heron Rookery is located on property owned by The Nature Conservancy. Groups can not enter the Rookery at certain times during the year. All other times groups must make reservations by calling Reserve Manager Mr. Calvert R. Posey, Sr. (301) 743-5079. M AINE IThe manl shifted the camera he was carrying to his shoulder and ON A PLATFORM OF sticks high in the top of a spruce tree sat began to climb the tree beside tile heron's nest. lie chose this nest a great blue heron. She was the color of the sea at dawn. Beneath front all the others because it stood at the outer edge of the group her breast lay five large eggs with shells of ancient blue-green, nearly of nests in tile leronry. lie did not wish to disturb tile birds. ready to hatch. She ruffled the feathers of her huge wings and drew Slowly, the man pulled himself up front branch to branch. I le them closer about her. Spread, her wings spanned a full six feet. I ler proceeded cautiously, because many of the branches would not bear powerful bill could crush almost any adversary, yet she was uneasy. his weight. Thie lower branches had died because the sunlight no Two black forms had been stealthily slipping through the darkness longer reached them; nearer the top of the tree the limbs had been of the spruces, ever closer to the big shaggy nest. Although she kept killed by heron guano. The spruce was treacherously slippery with her eye on the pair of ravens hopping silently from branch to branch, tie wetness and the growth upon it. Nearly all the branches carried they did not really worry the heron. She could handle them if they old-man's-beard, a greenish-gray lichen. It hung in wisps from the � came too close. What bothered her was the boat that had crossed damp dark limbs; rain that never fell, flourishing in the Maine the bay and circled her small island several times. A man lhad fogs. beached the boat and was working his way through the trees where I ligher and higher climbed the man, smiling all the while at the the heron nests were. heron. I le did not see the two black ravens, darker than the shadows - She could catch an occasional glimpse of the intruder. She was around them. Ile had eyes only for the heron on her nest. familiar with the human form, but the alien silhouette of tile knap- She glared at him and flattened her body over her precious eggs. sack on his back may have contributed further to the heron's unease. a bit more. I ler heart pounded against the shells. I lowever, she had never had a direct interaction with man, so she The man inched his way along the last limb that was big enough was able to sit tight. She held her head high, eyes glaring alertly, to bear him and his camera. lie sighted through his camera and head cocked tautly. The crack of dry branches on the ground told thought happily about the fine photographs he would have. Ile loved her his footsteps were coming near. Carefully she shifted her weight the bay and admired the great herons he had so often watclvlr, over the eggs. She raised the feathers of her crest, arched her neck, fecding in the coves. I le was delighted to have discovered the island stretched for one more look, and then drew her head and long neck nesting place of tile great blue herons. down flat against her back. Awkwardly he groped behind him for the light meter he carried Below her the ground was carpeted with spruce needles stained in his knapsack. I lis arm brushed a dead branch, breaking it with a white with the droppings of all the herons which caine to this island loud snap.- . . -_ _ in Penobscot Bay on the coast of Maine. I lere the great blue herons The heron could remain frozen no longer. She exploded from tihe for miles around came to roost at night and to build their nests and nest and wheeled away into the air in alarm. As the two hungry raise their young. _ _ - ravens flashed up to the unprotected nest the man watched in --I -e m wn who was making his way in thle shadows of the spruces helpless horror. Each raven gave an egg a quick blow with its power- grimaced at the strong smell of the droppings which whitewashed fill beak and carried away a dripping shell. the rocks and trees. Then he smiled, for lie could see the heron and 'lThe air rang with the disconsolate-sounding cries of the heron her nest silhouetted above him. He smiled, for ihe came in peace. circling above. She could not master her fear to return to her nest. 4 5 GREAT BLUE Tile photographer realized it was his doing tlat thile coast would know fewer of the wonderful great blue herons this suinlier. lie climbed down through tihe clawing spruce branches, made his way back to the boat on the beach, and headed out to sea with a heavy heart. The croaking cry of a raven came across the water to mock him. The heron spread her dusky wings to brake her flight and landed her long legs onto tile edge of the plundered nest. She studied tile fragments of shell and the smear of albumen that was all that remained of two of her offspring. As she settled herself gently down on the remaining eggs, she heard the first faint peeps from within them. In these eggs still beat the hearts of herons to com;, and perhaps she could raise three. A few months agohe cold winds of April had blown across the gray waters of the bay, and patce1 of snow still lay in lie shade of the spruces when the herons had,/come back from ttl/e soutlyS.ky- blue hepaticas were blooming promises of spring. R#ins were back; noisy flocks of red-winged blackbirds filled bare trietops.and boiyed up from barrni fields. Long lines of Canada geese came hlonking by in4he night. ' in the p'early light of dawn tile herons had danced togetllerol tile mud flat of the cove across from' the island. At least it looked like a dane. Groups of, ierons-loners for most of their libs--stood near/one aprothler,6n the icy fats. As birds approached each other thef'd the rielves rebuffed by njildly hostile signIs. A fe ydays later male he,6ns chose a nest sit,' usually an oldfest whicl/over the years mrny have become quit'substantial. Sone6, chiefly yq lger birds, laAto accept less desirable locations inle treetops n tile edge of flie circle to build their rickety platf ris. / Eacl2/male defended his /est vigorously ainst all corIers,I'v/', tile fen entually thse bcelors acc pted afemal, but at lie first, theirs was a very tene eationship. Again and again the lale would stab at the face of the female, who would draw back her head 6 I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O ~~~~~~LI AI. A great blue heron spreads lba Ingo from a Perch highs in a Nalijenocy treeto Inathe Nature Conservancy rookery, where about 2.000 of thse birds come each year to breed and I raidse Lheir coung_ Herons land amid range controversy By James llettingea- fears the sportsman's club main- The firing range's fate reSLS herons' possible reaction to guns- Staff eporter taim can be allayed by safety with the Charles County Board fire noise Both admit it is a diffi- sthiey Kaye every year since and buftering pr-ecaution s of Zoning Appeals. which coo- cull tsinsg to Predict, and em. the mid 1940s. the great blue he- Naturalists worry that the be- .rols the granting of "special ex- pliasize the need for caution. tams des-cended on Naiiajemoy in roos. skittish birds that can be ceptions" that allow such facili- Whether the firing range will Feb'r;;ary An estimated 2.DW of set to squawktni; andA flurnied ac- ties in residential zones, The disturb the birds "can't be the prehistoric-looking birds - btivty by a single person -a~lking board heard arguments for and proved by either side." said .ith long. bony legs, small bod- through the s-oods. may be against the range in January, Mlary Drreege, land steward for .es and 6i-foot wing spans -be. scared off by- g-,;rLs~iot fire then opted to reopen discussion Ithe Nature- Cnni'-vrari. a nnn- Fin sirisili irgie Vnli-iiitia TIwi tan.. iii'ii j.., iSi .ttu wi as i_..sii- iq.. retl-ig gsuit ru1- iuiti .ngviuua- I ay to 1iis tAnd niato war Sarn- club. willcli *as unaware of tWe tuai close the rookery is to tE live th~flat o~ls Oicn te2acre pro )emoy, Creek. home of one of the rookery when it contracted to proposed firing siteo. A second, serve containing the rookery. Atlantic Coast-1 largest heron buy the Ian between Route 6 "nstted issue" public hearing to "It sridiculousifor s to say that rookecries and Adams, Willett Road. be- discuss only the firing range's the range shouldn't be there, I ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The birds. according to Nanije- lieves the range won't have at potential effect on the great blue Droege said, but, "We MEs don't ma) resident and rookery man. neative impact Don the birds. herons is scheduled for April 11. want Lo take a chaince _. There's ager Calvert Posey. have been and has vowed riot to butild if In Preparation for the hearing, a potential that it's going to have going about busrines-as-usual proof surfaces that it will . both sides ane researching the See Hercons. A-I toe the last six weeks: fiin their treetop nests, fanning out to feed a ,tohfinbhlrIf=lla. -PterodactyI-Iike birds call Charles -County home their young tohatch in Apr Fand i et all with eacimicl July. It's the largest heron rook- Matlawoosai Swamp, bul 16ere begin flying in June. =wos.atdly legs. sharply ery in Marylanod, conlilalnng ap- di'ven off by a combination of But this year, -hen the herons aCWed nekaid posuttedhbeak5 pronitnaLely 25 perceist of the tanberirg and hunters. They rie- camesnorth to the area they call 'guetblue begans woiddilot lok state' breedirtisg i poolfoand located to Nanjemoiy. Posey home from February to July. cut GI Place ID a monster movse` ta beiVed Lo be tseEas Coast's saud. because of the site's isolat. I t~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~hey la,,ded unknow-ingly in & orltistnobook dealing wLtb pie- largest such nesting ground ad nature and pmroznltyto&afeed. middle of a heated debate over a bWDis trimtnes. north orFlorida. lsg areas in thne Potomac Phver Fring range proposed It~ site The pterodactyl-like cretsa0 The- bird have been owming go and seeral creek The Nanje- near ofabltheir rookery. lofeeuigbt Al horn . I 4anjerrcy tince the mid-]$"t. moy rookery was threatened by I The St Chaorles Sportsman's arlesrordn toe moey Ianagr devolopar."et In VW]LEt. late10t t'lub snitta to pot uut~kuor shue Couty K.w Y neK s sist ad longtime Nanjo-mop resi. but &osed when the Nature Carn- gun. rifie and pistot and archery In hundreds; of pairn each spring dent Calvert Posey. wbo be- aervancy. a private eniviron. Frarges about one mile from the and summner. T'hey are theof- f*levin he wais the ftrst person to mnental orgailuataion neeking to I rookery' on a 164-acre, heavily clad counity bird. notie lhesr presence. Os-a- the protect ecologic1ll Important wooded site adjacent to several -TheA cma blue heron rooery geats, the colony -has goitte areas, suirchasa the swrrmsj- houses in Nanlemnoy. - N-eno erel. with Utger and spread oiA.- Posey Ing 8-acre preserve, Local residents object to the 1.11 o'sI aetp of h.nb Said estimating that The rxi4- Thogh great blue berots asre I ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~proposal, fearing it w4f create said poplar trees. spread over a t" cirOilically contained 550 lo mot particularly rane - and ame bothersome noise. endanger 25-acre ame - attracts about 20D 1esLa actually quit~e plentwifu n ONe children and animals. and into.201 id rmFbur oTer-rt w rtda)XSeeHm. fere with wetlands on th st - , brsfo Ferryt eheosocneedangS Hs.A- *Herons a detrimntaefctnthe herons. marksmanship programs The by the military bases in 'quite a and that's what we're concerned club ptarsa mtaximumof 1" I i's' ifemit ind bnoa. aboul." points, and anticirkatin no mo oo yuwol et ro than 50 people shooting tru~at fram, oe ad h hr I ~ ~~~~~~~~~~The sportsman's club. mean- a weekend. Mltchell said. crack of gwsnlirt. he woed, might while. doesisi think it.s range wIll have a more detrimental effect an have "that much of a detrimental Asserting thet "wildlife are effect an the wildlife ' or create adaptable" Mitchell said deer ehms ..any resl problem." according to wander along traits near the Tiring range detractors say the publicit~y director tDacnnymcitclell. sportsmlan's club's present finrug location of the range LS optioknal. le nted.though, that the club range on Piney Church Itoad in atutle the location of the rookery is (will~ ~ Op te eoinon Of nvin Waldorf, Great blue heion are not. Mitchell countered that the St. I rietifrsert~aidfind knodver not an endangered species that Ctiarles Sport~mikin's Club. shich f laliontiiLibeNarklemoy- site is has failed to adjust to human ac- seeks to leave the Waldorf locatIon mtJgid untsutable. "We're coeiser- - tivity. and might be able to forge a it leases because of the coming ex- altionlsts5 I rst,: Mitchell said. similar Co-xistenice with the Noan- Parisian of SL Charles, has bere * ~ ~~~~~~~~~~"We-definitely a no.Xgiing to jemoy finng range. he added, actively searching for a new space mve downthsei'e ard infringe on ~ snts ue*Wo for two years. and has discovered Poseyis nt so ure,"Whothat affordable, remote tocatioris ~!~inanwaY knows how they're going to aehr cmeb.Telu.e Droege suggested an "cet- react?"' he asked. maintaining acead. "to Oct bascly. Th clb.ttoe ble compromise" might be fog th that the heron colony now in Nan- lsaid "its nta basically gaes." but club to keep the range closed fromn )emoy once nested near Mattawo- les coPetn itha ara mweaty doesel-u Feb. I to -May 15. the time the man Swamp. bu lef ai'ter the i ~leUl ihwatydvl birds are "most vulnerable to ar-ea became popular with hunt. opersin itssearcblor land. noise" because Of mating. incut- ers. Herons have "survived" So the questiois of hot to saltisfy bating and easrly birdltood actiiv- some instances of noise intrusion, both the sportsman's club and dies Young birds.Droegenoted in but have been unable to adjust to local enviromnentalislts, and how a Feb. 33 letter to the zoning others. according to Chandler best to protect a unique -sesting board. "will -ump out of their ,set Rtubbins. a wildlife biologist with grovund. rernain unresolve'd, with to !heir death if agitated or thieu s.FtshankdWildlifeService, some expert opinions expected to starued" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~be voiced at the Apri 11 zoning Firin rngie fu~trsoin t orhe In-ig Thec club has requested a sever, out that the Nanjemoy herons cur- Tegetbu eo okr i ailuig c edue onaccmoae dian Head, Dahlglren and Quantico a o, hn pcilo h hl members 'who %ork odd days and military bases a few miles away, E-ast Coast and -one of our prize hours. Club attorney Stephen as well assa spartsman's club that po~slisu Charles County," Braun told the zoning board Jan. hunts on property adjacent to th adPsy-1dntwn oe 24 that the sportsman's group has rikiy h jotmn lbhsn n "limited resources" and "cnt But the 25-member Buck-horn teniiiin o'f doing that. Mitchell compromise on dabs or hours-" Bow and Gun Club that has leased siditoghsranato Mitchell expects the range to 1 9e 1 mainlry fear thenrookerd cio- lrlai.lm toPreserve wildlife" and used foe an average of five to O198.mil o hnigadco shires the "same basic inten- hour a 1eekwithmostacti kout-s does not shoot ther'e from sines' as the environmentalistst. I hour a wee, withmost ativitytaking place on Weekends, and ~ Fbzr oSpebr h w rushv the sm busiest times being several wee i- logofouniderBlake Yoder. 1ve two grusig hat, it hel addedan ends of organiz ed shoals and And though the noise generated ushaveto get ther-e together." Home Cont'd from A-11 Chesapeake Bay region - the they attempt to reach a feeding Added. Nlanjiemoy rookery 'Ls signkificant area. The herons are notoriously skit. because it represents "such a con- Heon "will nest close togeth. tish creatues who are particular. cenlration of nesting barons ... It's but theynspridotiover to people walking so important to so many birds." er, bunhysra u vrabnahterres-ts, Posey said. according to Mary Droege. a land large area to feed." Posey' said 11 Access to the Nature Contservancy steward with the Nature Comer. hero nets uncommo wtoi se severle rookery is limited to field trips be- vancy. h ern' netsacke with'in at s-w ing le (viern mid-May and mid-June. Pairs of heroes conic nuorti to earl. pair llkt'v to hanve Its own a The 61lrds.w *huie bodiest are mate, fittingly, around Valen- quarter Mile of waterway. be ex' sna~ll5" con an average Chiak' tine's Da each yea. Posey W plained-en's, look awkward standing In I tines Day each ~~~~~~~ Posey be- plaited- ~~~~~their nests, but extremely grace- lieves they determine the time *Of Eating such non-commercial lul when flying. Thneir, 6-foo wing. ted itheirnva fw aysofsthesoos fish as Wh'ite perch, Ind young sptans enable them to climb tentlywithi i 15 dayst3~ ~ menhaden, which they catch by tOffugh the sit while moving their sweethearts' holiday, by otZsm.t wading into streams and plucking wings slowly. With little apparent tIng the lengthening days rather from the water With their long dffLt than temperature changes. b eks herons feed over a Zmilue Great blsae heroeis are itactually Upon arrival, the herons fix radiws frf01a th ne rne550 rok.' move gray tumhanble while their their large treetop nests, which ~ 'V~~ 4 ~ ~ blue European counterparts, for Moeasure up to 3feet in width. sith must stay in the nest in order to reasm; ono to Posey. have, news sticks and taigs. After a os receive food. are fed by thei par' been labeled great gray heroes. mating period during which they et woregurgitate directly into Though the size of the rookery fluff their plume feathers and v-i- their moutlts. Posey added. has Increased each year, Posey brate their wings. the birts settle When the herons leave Nane expet~s It to begin slowing as a down o hach tree o fie egs tny in July. they spread out over "saturation point for the feeding Per neat Youn birds begin aP- the cit-We East Coast. Posey said. area" Is reached. He noted athe pearing in April, and start flyinig IThose that go north initially bead rookery location is gradually shiift' 10 to 12 weeks later. Posey said. south when the weather turns tIng as nitr'ate from bird dropping% Malty yaWiI lv'rtti. he 11ilKie. rcilel, lv'fior returnialg to NonitJE kills Ire-e bhaiming liefnn nrsts. I ~ ~~~~~~~~~leave the nest tmosoouand die as inoy the follow-ing February. be -James Hettinger - � . .. . .. ;Ja 'N' '..* .4 4~~~~4~ ~~'~uehe~~rons ge nter, home ujrtesy-,of~Co,o by'~~~~~'Ilaae~~~~~~~~mi ~~~building Shouldi be progrnm. which has drawn oelved his troph os ~ .h orteoitng team& ~~ .~~~~M~~~~~Zditw ~~~~~~read y o cuac by the crowd* averaging aroundI120teen. Oulatandin~rxag Doe C 6a of 1964 the _Astor, the flu fu.ndV98'n; Deeicktsel lan a;work. %1_7"hp 4~_r.Aam Ily o f a ROV. William J. Micheimn Hamip~r~eletonan.~ n ic 90 cionw ~'' "w V~ 1y54' HM~5b.I4SINI '*"20zyears ago' '~ daoom aqi go., ble bo Tv AIlk trsbbugaral Chermnies Om Woot bkobmm WI& ysbayot- A future ~~ member of "Ne ladlio eI~. w phqw~Na~smay. f' 31i..Te e t~imal began auxilaroftvr0 the 1.0 Plast volun.4,' reo~i- n n i nI,. Ic A*~* th~.) .AJ~u~h th 977.lspovvy byBuddy .tser]Firs 1epartmnont wasbornatiii- mlA, WU' Painurticptqerto, .,ail M)arsaee ecn Mwaheuwr o' Marylaid WildlifiAdintrlnetra.". JohnMottlewastph ickansuf nies. St~e~ve~ 1SD.'UE apnovd they Wft. b'i Isock-to, ~ ~ Ifijw a 70nst grea tsu hrk morle optal . hy ca~ds ate Prsietilonr( senior repiteehlt i g ie anote rviin ,t."rckaryttheeadwaer~olan.. The little girl, thtitnt hl itlnentwhichwilillendtheavrfkoa IOI uh ebEW~W7. tba ,, a .o,, ,~WeIghed rs.4 6 Mltad II. "and also render the 21-gun W cty h irewtwllab lteY ~~~~' ~~~~ounces MAm willrsdeNxp, . be Front #, btieft I' Atmoot _'--'-25Ye~rZ~k9 Aanes. y10 as prtieslide.t 4N 'r'"* '..f, - ~.~.ev~~~k59Peat an *jnPCSCUVC (hristmas babies were born"' u~ enb'o Jordaner "Um- rn wait r-en iste 5-nj) C hrstmas Day (Doe, 2t5) to Mi. Poet 34, an Engle SCOU4t andi E harlerjWiq' abytoa emlouer ZhPPSP~~aftrno Do e , 29 for tim new SA- . and Mrs. Charles Mkide of. Wa). menhe .- th Kngtsk'nmed aum~uN ~ rln 11Cne nS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o ;;ii6 . tired 40. N O ~ ~~~~Hert Roman Catholic. dnrf. a dotwhter. and Mr;'xndVM,;* I3enoa mem. n~l M at~ail Kalwsao is -=hth .. t of .ChumohlnLa Pslate',. Mrs. Psul Harris of Indian HeadjiI. will ~ ~lEd~lo ~ rmrl~se&~ s7aiNW"Ya.Dyat t 4AI14A=- V~w1the donsaUon o' Da the draswiiiboard for OA aeon, at the LaPlate hospitalt111 Gadaon he raint' o ten Catharine I weighed S pot-ads. 1) ucs.Se new buld~ng, aersaflloChArksCountY-., -v*-.dtlrIng the nuuain OnyM 1~9t~u~ya 'I owyslgty aore then 22 [Dceb" Omazl~outvn'ewrissoner" which will cost an estimasted Dancesbenafl towa., t"Ib%.Aeit lte944A." O~IAf I He did t'or a lWashington D.C.. * Canie. bet VWi an S", ". J3OP-fe. .Will brae I d 0n A 'o Firemen of the Waldorf Volun. ,",,efll1l y, F= wing th am~u -':- Teacha= ! lrp an4~tk ohr ~sa much v Aim Kr Oue et to the present Ba.' tear Fire D~epartment have takeni. rRUMo, Imth williactas hosta ft tim to aperwarag es.'upsI W ot~o "M VA fta~vM*%lt lnt'%'cred 1eart Fftotocy an St. Mary's'- onroetdsge l'etep'.. !Ji(ae aIspu y)trSbye( I a~sqwtth1Na~reswnedb~rde. ~cO~M< j~'~'. '~ oungsters of too wedar f irtoF1ii4*-. ~~~~~~P ~ ~ ~ ~ t I O. sqaefe.wihanti thef Ire depa ent by spoIxori-n rotary Dick Arbogast of Lha MAar- 1, tfJ ad b' IVs'ag~tzi ma oz.r 1,400 squae feet to a basement a Tee Hop ever other FridaI bW7.VoYluntee Fire De*art~oensaa:;Amowa'osta ?hO Al~~~ifl*Off~~rieM,~p,'rish W. lwillhave ac eactyf 'Ovening in th adrFrk9*r abmonngtoe rtxVseaood~ ad kxpoomp Dr.,v Bal a sol church. .Co-chairmen for the successful held at the.9Dl Restauranti Ttre- port ofboth paler", "nm GREAT BLUE HERONS: SURVIVING IN SPITE OF CIVILIZATION K;�DL RDLOCK Aqt'Wde c figt s ho~o@nic~thirwadgt~~cup Spot-- W- P ..mosunWsi.4r lcneye (rol)e. stlneno3n oii - '. t~t odly dwslets h theJI cttoy otp - bIMDY aG#4bffc*CMUUN -ae tes ovy " , fne Poo* who sto on 1414 Ing otthreedg pfrlasertut pophirg40, V !Synd fDfhWor higoS hlgh. Adultk %whop ~ ~ ~ ~ Mo irne wto panth sap( I, ~~~~~eas.'The great blue brfsvrg'i- tll aWor atipt Wans, Afte IN Aet aEflopmw ndennthosoo *san Is:tix feet *Ad thtWinpc i 44ha ees the tiodgt%1iu* take off on teron aetb lckWOrgh thime g"~asir 7~ had Wri/O ramuI&Wstaxdn -' -~~~ gsetu~fU.ieta A $3&urpwonaohsm- us Gmwj Capschom Joid rho city s * emwInfrn~o nd Cownilatim PJ01 Wamdea wxss in th, 0 *,l',. t to I ss~~~~rns~~flrn &utv~bww 14th and 161A strwAt - ~ ~ ~ ~ ts~~~~~tt ~~~~j1~~~~ '~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ wonsuaftdndsswcrflienSome rmzv~~~~,.- ius t dte o notwbevleutaei - *'* - . - ~~~ (4 e-tA anre~herpickupthe" -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~e *'tg*/ gfa e MA10N~~~~~~~~~ bloln Oot cotaM ,.$ 'CO~~~~2th~t th Wontaturnaloeda 1t t-'~~~~~~~~~~~~4tt 0,Ix va.' BfloERKYIL8wAP admighv adthedaac iio~~~~~~ atoe&'awudaetwlt Gom war~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~epdt~ M0a fteu..poctsionslarlth SXACK ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~- *WM Jv . m~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ln -buo -1 m. -Z mua -~ Is -ft -Pv an m--- I'. I I .. E6 FaY, Avuctsr 14, 1987 .~~~~~~--~-jL --sorgsnh E2 FRiA, At;t'sT 14, 1987 'D I TX____ _ _mTo_ �~~~~~~- Regal Blue Hero Kingdom. M4~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~ ' pot for �a.- Bou I Manifests, Survives on Bay Favorite PickUp S '-_g P*"" As long as right turns are alboetf o:to Malnd is doiug more than paying po- . RDC o I r Avenueat 14th Steet, the BLUE MONh From lite attention to the birds. t ' _______________________________ - acess to the express lane would be present pickup spot doesn't hurt anyone ki~ngdom of the bero spans nearly This summer the Chesapeake Bay Crit- through the Ninth Street tunnel and that but it helps thousands. the entire coastal United States, but the ical Areas Law takes effect. The statute M is farther out of the way for the drivers, ALICE M Chesapeake Bay region is home to a huge provide protection for the herons and Mary- as is 10th Street. Springfield populationh at last count. Maryland reported land's endangered species by regulating Whichever location is chosen, I would Dear Mr. Schoene: 27 colonies and Virginia, 34, for a total of timbering, industry expansion, and devel- hope for fair warning. Having the D.C. understarn the No Standing' more than 7,000 heron pairs. opment in the bay region. police ticket drivers now with no provisions on 14th Street NW for I I Nanjermoy is considered the largest rook'- alternative ... is precipitous and unfair. continually become frustrated ,heni e- rbeding site, o nsdr the Earst Coast .DAVID G. PAYNTER encountering drivers sitting and waiting ery or breeding site, onthe East CostSpringfield a p er. north of Florida. Femnale herons choose In July, the rookery is nearly abandoned. . Si e f a gr. mates ach February and stay with them Empt nests and skeletos of ill-fated baby Dear Mr. Shoene [ti I have great difficulty with the until the breeding season ends in July. birds tlat toppled from their nests mark the I urge you to help commuters like , "No Stopping' prov:ision. To me, it is a Because the herons are colonial' birds breeding site. myself keep the system that serves us minor inconvenience in trade for fewer b reed~~~~~n ing3 mintes. Shudtecrpo'iy acmrms mwligt at dwell in trees apartment style e There are a few latecomenrs thoughe, e and the city so well. At present, I can get automobiles funneling in and out of the catastrophe could cause extensive damage of birds who arrived after the great influx of be abolished, I would have to take a bus make, just make th c omprom isesing to to the whole colony. 'A single event, man- mid-February oand are still raising their and the Metro at a cost of about ,0 necessary to be in a comar poolmses and the Mfetro at a cost of about $ !,000 necessary to be in a car pool. numade or natural, in the Nanjemoy rookery young. And there is Cal Posey a year ($4.20 [perlday; $21 perl week). Since the river and the bridges are in would wipe out one-third of the [Marylandl It was Posey who nmade sure that the her- For a single parent like myself, this your jurisdiction, it seems that moving population.' said Glenn Therres of the ons would have a place to which to return. represents a considerable savings of time fewer cars over the upstream and Maryland Department of Natural Re- He approached the Nature Conservancy and money. downstream spns would be a fair t rade sources. 'That's why we're starting to pay with the idea that Nanjemoy was an ecolo- I would prefer the new location at for allowing 'stopping' but not more attention to these critters.' gically valuable site worth preserving. Now . 10th and Pennsylvania. However, I standing.' I believe a distinction may be The 288 acres that make up the Nanje- he's the site manager for the rookery. would also like to go on the record as drawn between 'stopping' and moy preserve were bought by the Nature 'I keep watch,' he said, 'and see that the saying I would go almost anywhere in the 'standing.' and most jurisdictions Conservancy. a private conservation group, herons aren't 14th Street area to pick up the car pool. apparently agree or the signs w.,uld not * Consevany. p~afeconervaiongrop, eros aen' disturbed.' I hope you will be able to help the read as they do. 10 years ago after the area was threatened Posey, 63, has been watching the Nan- hundreds of people like mself who rely Moing rom the rational to the hundreds of people like myself who rely Moving from the rational to the by logging interests. As the first project of jemoy herons since the mid-1940s after a on this fast, convenient and cheap emotional, it just plain [angers mel that a onthi anst, onvnetahap mtion ail, it jutpaitng [asngersan m canth auta drummed up area support through the came a pig farm and the birds moved en DONA DE SANCTIS a waiting passenger and I cannot. Just its Maryland chapter, the conservancy nearby swamp where they were nesting be- trnsorato daily. to tth ur opiku Save a Nest Program,' which became the masse to the site at Nanjemrnoy. Every year Springfield how am I supposed to get to l0th Street, "Save ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~which is hardly on the wray to anywhere? 'spark that got the conservancy going in the since then, the herons have returned. Dear Mr. Schoene:w h aon t s~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Loineth, wh eould bae reunied iea you didn'te state,' said Wayne Klockner, assistant di- Whenrt exactly they appear is still a mys- I have been a rider and a driver for the Ma dison Drive? rector for the Maryland/Delaware Field Of- tery. Although Posey can predict almost to past five years and if, in fact, the fice. the day when the herons will arrive, he has situation has been thoroughly researched have to put up with non-District traffic Years ago, heron plumes were high- never actually seen them fly i. by an intelligent individual o r team, it and the rest of the Districts services Years ago heron plumes were high- neveractually seen themflyin. would be immediately clear that the brief didn't have to provide support to priced crowns for ladies' hats. After heron "It's usually around Valentine's Day. One stops [to pick up riders] don't begin to nonresidents. I'm certain it would be just hunting was outlawed in the United States day there's nothing, and then they're every- compare to the length o time the as nice i Virginia didn't have Maryland il 1918, the depleted population quickly re- where It's an explosion of birds. etrobuses stop. ta vie versa. Unfortunately, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~hr.I' nepoion o!bid Metrobuses stop. h: bounded. 'Since 1980, the population has doubled,' Isn't that what is really the problem that's the way it is. Stil, there are modern-day threats to the he said. -This year there are 1,400 nests.' here? Isn't it that Metro is complaining Cut me a break... fine m if I stand bondes.ot, u o ing eniomet souch as loggn, me to nesting environment such as logging, de- Posey is a firm-believer in the conservan- about all that lost revenue? Why does out, but for coring out load, allow me to DAVID M. CROYLE v lopmen.th band p o l luenthions welans inrnathundrd a bo8 te'Dsti, them curb.asa velopment and pollution as well as nature's cy's philosophy of hands-off preservation. everyone in Washington refuse to see the pick up a waiting passenger at the curb. own logger, the beaver. Often this means ignoring hundreds of baby benefit to the District, in terms of U Nowhere near endangered, in fact, down- herons that, after falling from the nest, are thousands [fewerl autos coming into the Manassas right common, the great blue heron can be abandoned by their parents and face certain already nightmarish road system. A drive Sir: sptted on virtually any shoreline of the bay death. Posey recognizes this as 'part of the anywhere from the 14th Street bridge to I am writing to... support the location aed on virtually any shoreline of the bray death. Psey recnies is part . K Street, the Capitol to the River, is of 1400 Madisonm Dr. as the pickup spot one time, however, a member of a group nothing but one big obstacle corse of for the Springfield Underground This I re satrray.Eik WlsnIn One time, howeverW a member oloa gisrAuublocked lanes and busted asphalt. location is more agreeable to the majority arawtrasaboogistyadAuu naturaliodr'sotn but oebgos tace coure aof for~c thel Srp aslaingfil Underground- This Society naturalist, cites the size and produc- field trip he was lagprevailed upon him But back to the 14th of riders, I suspect, because it is loser to tivity ofthebayas reasons behind this pop- to save a crippd heleetd StretConstitution Avenue pickup spot the 14th Street spot we are used to. Also, - ~lation boom. ~nursed it through the winter . ,..The alternates suggested will not it is more a central location than the o10th 'The Chesapeake Bay is one of the larg- "This bird used to sit on the porch steps work because the drivers will have to go Street location because many of us walk est estuaries in North America. And the and wait for me to come home,' Posey said. through so many more turns and hassles over from the Northwest area around general improvement in air and water qual- Normally herons are spooked by humans to get over to them and back [to] the 18th and K. ity has helped the food supply," she said. craclng twigs 40 feet below. express lanes that they won't have saved The Madison Drive spot was used for Since heron hunting was outlawed, the By spring, the wing had healed and the themselves anytime. Who this a few days earlier, but without any is the loss of nesting habitat. Therres says. houhAll it would take is a change in the sign at the 14th and Constitution spot isthe l r of t bnesteing habitatTherres say. Pey thought. at that particular spot to read Car-Pool whenever they saw riders they IThe nature of their breeding habits is that Every now and then there's a familiar Pickup, One Minute [or 30-secondl Limit. recognized. and vice versa. T hen those they concentrate in small areas, versus rob- honk on the road,' he said. 'I think it's the - "..... ,- .i d.- ; heron coming by to say hello.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TH FIRST EDEN *~. wdwn TeMedigerrancan vkwi aman "Wd Man sip. As*" *raw I~~~vqr beds~~~ ~mt% flnb..uw ,~~~CN- - bones are hollow or partially hollow, stork has long, broad wings for aomia , from its breeding ground in Germany to "' with braces of thin bone for support and long distances. Fast flyers have km . feed on insects on Mediterranean strength. A sturdy, lightweight frame is or narrow wings. ; shores. Perching on tree limbs, it waits strong enough to support large flight Even birds' toes are specially dsied for African killer bees to fly by. muscles and yet is light enough for the and arranged to do different tasks. ' K . t . ill E bird to get off the ground. Eagles have strong, grasping Wo - 2. The Great Spotted Moonling: E Birds' large eyes help give them the catching and holding small animals. A This aquatic bird stins tiny shrimp J:J C T best vision in the animal world (in some warbler's toes help it grip a perch. Bih' from the and along the edge of instances up to ten times better than can be classified into climbers, p.the Mediternun. This long-legged _ FIRST human eyes). Some can see color and ers, perchers, runners, scratcher ud bird spends most of its time flying to and _ E DE N focus on objects near and far; others swimmers by their toes. m f its other home in South Africa. concentrate low levels of light for night BUILD A BIRD ern ____________ cncentrate * 3. The Lesser Roderlan: vision. Since their eyes are almost fixed This carnivorous bird lives in the stubby The Mediterranean WVrld and Man in their sockets, birds must turn or twist Hypothesis: If a bird is living and flying trees on western Mediterranean shores. their heads to see in-different directions. in a certain environment, then it wllbe Feeding on mice, rats and frogs, this Jr.ITgram 1 To judge the distance of a fleeing mouse, physically adapted to be successful . large bird soars in the thermals rising Flirr Hamdout J some birds-owls and hawks, for that environment. example-have eyes in the front of their Mater : colored pens or -t *heads, giving them stereoscopic vision. pencil, paper, scissors, tape or p:. 4. The Spanih Rockwren: Birds have special balloon-like struc- This sall, seed-eating bird. commonly tures called air sacs attached to their Procedure: -. known as the "nofly,' runs across flat lungs. These store additional air to help 1. Read the Ilctlnal descriptioat bow. , rocks and over the ground unless forced irds a some of the most bun food for energy. Birds require Choose one of them to build. . fly. lts body is capable of flying beautiful and entrancing lots of energy for flight and, being Cut out the beaks, feet, bodies and , only short distances. Its heavy leg mus- creatures to study. The warm-blooded, for keeping their body wings on the worksheet and tape off cls make good eating for its enemies. Mediterranean is a rich temperature constant. Air sacs aid ther- paste them onto a blank sheet of pWp, laboratory where it is easy to study the moregulation (body temperature con- to form what you think the I nr - S. The Norwma Rapido: relationships between birds and weather, trol) and, in swimming birds, help the bird would look like. Or you my chie This small bird can fy at speeds of over soil, water, insects, mammals and hu- bird float. to trace bird parts from the ; 100 mph. Maneuverable enough to man. Birds are a class of vertebrates But it is a bird's beak, wings and feet onto a blank sheet of paper, , if catch insects at high speeds, it feeds called Awes, which are believed to that tell us the most about its environ- parts together into a composite. year- d at the western edge of the have evolved from small dinosaur- ment. In their varied shapes and sizes, 2 C you bird be consisen Mediterranean Sea. As it perches on like reptiles. beaks tell us what a bird eats and how it the environment described. Keep the high cliffs. its keen eyes can detect The characteristic that separates birds gets its food. Thick, heavy beaks are mind that male birds are Insects In flight. from all other animals is feathers. Both adapted to crunching seeds, while thin, brightly colored than female bir* : "' 6. Bur original creation: our fingernails and birds' feathers are narrow beaks are designed to snap up 3. After building yur bird sham r A Us what you leaned in this handgut to made of keratin. This hard. lightweight insects or puncture fruit. Eagles' hooked rsults with prtner. Explin whr. . i write a bird description from your ,~ atedrial forms two kinds of feathers: the beaks are designed to tear the flesh of selected the beak, feet and wingsx oa own imagination. Keep food and Afeathers, which insulate the ani- small animals, while flamingos' beaksslthe bafe andoniainai .Kpfdn M , and the stiff but flexible contour a curved and contain filter plates did. Base your explanation on thal *,eed flight r equirements in mind while writ- feathers. which are necessary for flight. through which they strain mud for food. inary birds ight include Thxamples of imag- Many birds, like the bee-eater, grow a A bird's wings indicate the type of DESCRIPTIONS OF BIRDS; mi ght inclu de The Lunchb rtnifentm display of colorful feathers. flight to which it is adapted. The bee- T BE BUILT: r The SpiLT: Or thing Wor micide. TO fly efficiently a bird should hrve Or think of your own bird name and To fly efficiently a bird should have eater has short wings to make the quick 1. The Leathertongued AplvwrI t Build a Bird! bones that re ton yet light. Most bird turns needed to capture bees, while the A compact bird that flies long ditanme Casroom m-Ne5 made possibe by -AI Title-Fill the Bill Name Adapted from "Birds,Birds,Birds", p.29 + 37 Grade/Priod Date Purpose- To investigate the advantages/ disadvantages of bird bill shape for gathering a variety of bird food. Materials-3 eyedroppers 3 fish nets rice stemmed cherries 4 pairs of chopsticks 3 tweezers puffed rice test tube 3 pliers 3 tongs 2 lg. containers, culture dish 2 lg. spoons small log grapes(or fake worms) walnuts 3 strainers popcorn oatmeal styrofoam chunks 1 fill the bill worksheet real bird heads string Procedure-l.Rotate through the 8 stations and attempt to "feed" at each bird food station and record your success in the chart below. 2.Look at the real bird beaks and hypothesize their possible food and their adaptation to get that food. Data/Observations- ._-LStation# Food Tyne "Best Beak" Why it is the best. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 7. 3.Complete the attached fill the bill worksheet. 2.LiSummary- How are bird's beaks adapted to specificble food and the adaptation to its function. * -;-w 11. I 2. 3. 3.Complete the attached fill the bill worksheet. Summary- How are bird's beaks adapted to specific food types? 1 2 3 i, 4 i, ; ' FISH AND OTHER NECTAR WORMS IN THE MUD SEEDS , WATER ANIMALS US ~~6 7 i 8 T NY WATER PLANTS CATERPILLARS"'', AND WATER ANIMALS FLYING INSECTS AND OTHER INSECTS ' FRU WHIPPOOR-WILL SNIPE TOUCAN WABLER /PECAN HUMMINGBIRD GROSBEAK FAIGO PELICAN HUMMINGBIRD _ GROSBEAK -AMINGO N~~~~~~~~~A ME-A ____ __ Animal Survival() ADAPT-A.BIRD II ~~~~~~~~bird into each yucos t~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~t zi_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A~~ Lk~~~~~~ I~~~~~~~~~~' loP Lv-11g~vsl K1111mcr~rw,1 mI ER I ;'~~~~~~~~~~TP'SSW I 0 I. I I S * S.C I I. I I I I. - - - -.m----- - I I *1 I .. .4 .( jI RI \ 0 I V * -V ,FIVE ADAPT-AmBIRD BODY PARTS BODIES: _v.2 I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I nECKS: II HEADS & BEAKS: � [_' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.... .. ,....Z= II ____ LEGS: (Don't cut apart) ' m~~~~~r It ~~~~~~~~~~Coos I~ boo$'ur I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ r I -- FEET: T S ~~-~cca_ .... C~~~~~~�~~~~~" " '" ~~~'~ CoWtslphI '' 1966~ hV TPS rlelnq SysJen'~ Rc1o(l~It~d.Owlug iqnw rlnKue~m I~~ I~e 1 ~B'QSYSTEMS * ~~~~~~~~Nest Count Methods Each fall after the leaves have fallen, a nest count I ~~~of the Nanjemoy Creek Great Blue Heron Rookery is conducted to determine the status of the Colony. This is usually between November 15th and December 15th, with a minimum of * ~~~three persons in each party. The rookery is divided into three or four sections that I ~~~are naturally separated by stream valleys or other natural features. The group begins at a corner of their assigned section and moves across their area, methodically recording each tree in which nest are observed as to species of tree, number of nest, and the condition of each nest. Nest under I ~~~a tree are also noted in remarks, but not counted for the given tree. Also, the health of the tree is noted if it appears unhealthy or is now dead. (See attached data sheet.) * ~~~~The nest are given a numerical rating of from one to five as to size and condition. This may vary slightly due to the I ~~~observer' s interpretation. A map is also made to show where * ~~~each tree is located in relationship to the entire rookery. A number is assigned to each tree for the purpose of identifying * ~~~the position of each tree. Suggestions For Field Trip Activities. 1. Reconstruct a fallen nest- Nests that fallen may be collected in large lawn and leaf bags and reconstructed back at the classroom by students. 2. Identify fish remains- with the help of a "Field Guide to the Atlantic Coast Fishes" a Peterson Field Guide Series, fish remains or whole fish may be identified during spring trips when parents are activily feeding young herons. 3. Heron behavior- can be recorded through observations of individuals at anytime when herons are present. 4. Tape recordings- a PAROBOLIC microphone may be borrowed from the Nanjemoy Creek Environmantal Education Center for voice recording of herons. vqA'J41c/ 81?cA ROOKE/V I 1PRyT,t,, AThYL/A'b I I I I I. I I I I. 'V I H I I I I Section No Tree # i Species Size { Relative Size of Nest Total Remarks DBH #1 1 #2 #. 4 Nests Nanjemoy Creek Heron Rookery EGG SHELL DATA Equipment: Micometer Shell Shell No. Hatched Predation Thickness I Soil Test Data Sheet Equipment: Soil Science Outfit Model AM-31 J Station # pH N03 P04 K Texture Remarks I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SLIDE INDEX FOR GREAT BLUE HERON LESSON PLAN 35. American Robin's Nest with eggs 36. Killdeer Bird at nest - ground nester' 37. Bobwhite - male 38. Quail's nest with eggs 39. Close-up of a Broadwinged Hawk 40. Yellow Billed Cuckoo Bird - front view 41. Great Homed Owl 42. Great Blue Heron's at nest 43. Great Blue Heron 44. Great Blue Heron in foliage 45. Great Blue Heron in tree top 46. Great Blue Heron at nest 47. Great Blue Herons sitting and flying 48. Great Blue Heron sitting in tree 49. Young Great Blue Heron in nest 50. Camouflaged Great Blue Heron - close-up 51. Great Blue Heron at fishing area 52. Work of a Palliated Woodpecker 53. Mountain Laurel - close-up of blooms 54. Swamp Azalea - close-up of blooms 55. Scaly Blazing Star in bloom 56. Rattlesnake Weed - close-up of bloom 57. Downy Rattlesnake Plantain - orchard 58. Pickerelweed 59. White Footed Mouse 60. Burrow of a Groundhog 61. Groundhog or Woodchuck 62. Mink 63. Red Fox 64. Skunk 65. Shed Deer antler 66. Beaver 67. Beaver dam 2 SLIDE INDEX FOR GREAT BLUE HERON LESSON PLAN 68. Beaver pond 69. Tree felled by a Beaver 70. Beaver lodge 71. Beaver cutting on base of a tree 72. Larva of the Polyphemus Moth 73. American Holly with fruit 74. Winterberry 75. Running Pine (cedar) - common to Rookery 76. Tree Club Moss 77. White Perch - diet of Great Blue Heron 78. White Perch - diet of Great Blue Heron 79. Winter returns 3