The Fisherman of Carillon Stonegate Pond

Great Blue Heron roosting above Carillon Stonegate Pond West.

As you walk the paths around Carillon Stonegate Pond or are fortunate to sit on your deck and watch the wildlife, you have probably seen the fishermen. While our pond does attract a variety of fisher "men" and "women", this particular one is the Great Blue Heron as shown above roosting in a tree high above Carillon Stonegate Pond West and below in an image from Cornell Ornithology Lab's All About Birds website.

Similar to many of the fishermen that we see on our pond, the Heron carries out this activity in a very solitary manner.  According to Great Expedition, herons "primarily feed on small fish, but they are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever comes within striking distance". You may have seen them take on a frog on Carillon Stonegate Pond. At our ponds, you will generally find a heron wading slowly along the shallow shoreline while stalking their prey. They will strike using their S-like neck to throw their sharp, dagger like bill at their prey.

Herons  are large birds. According to Cornell Lab's All About Birds, herons are generally 38 to 54 inches (3 to 4 1/2 feet) in height and weigh in at about 74 to 88 ounces (4 1/2 to 5 1/2 pounds). And as they fly above our pond, you can see their majestic wingspan of 66 to 79 inches (5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet)! The Great Blue Heron gets its name from the grayish blue coloration of its feathers on their upper wings, back and tail. Their primary habitats are freshwater and saltwater areas - hence, why you see herons at our ponds!

Image from All About Birds website.

Here are some other noteworthy facts about the herons from American Expedition:

• Herons spend approximately 90 percent of their waking hours stalking for food.
• Great blue herons are monogamous during breeding season, but will choose a new partner the next year.
• When alarmed, herons may make make 3-4 hoarse croaks to warn others before taking off - you may have heard this sound around our ponds.
• Not all great blue herons nest in trees - some herons nest on the ground, and will use grasses to build their nests instead of sticks.
• Herons also roost in trees - as seen at Carillon Stonegate Pond - for safety from predators as shown in the other photo on this blog.
• There is a form of great blue heron in Florida that is solid white, known as the 'Great White Heron'.
• Some herons are migratory, and will travel day and night while migrating (see map below from All About Birds). Generally, herons migrate north into the northern Great Plains or Canada to breed.
• Great blue herons will hunt both during the day and the night. They have specially adapted eyes which help them to see in the dark.
• A heron will typically live for around 15 years; the oldest recorded great blue heron lived to be 24 years old.

Sourced from Cornell Lab's All About Birds website.

For more information on the Great Blue Heron and sources of information used in this blog, please visit All About Birds and American Expedition. And the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a wonderful source of information for anyone interested in learning about birds.

The Carillon at Stonegate community is fortunate to have a variety of wetland, forest and prairie environments conducive to a variety of birds and other wildlife. Our community and the Kane County Forest Preserve does an exceptional job in maintaining this natural environment - both for the benefit of the wildlife and for our residents to enjoy. Take a hike and see what you can find!

And please come back to our blog - "Life on Carillon Stonegate Pond" to learn more about the birds and wildlife that either live or visit this wonderful habitat.