Quakertown Swamp and the Great Blue Heron Quakertown · 2019-09-24 · Quakertown Swamp and the...

Conservation IssuesA century ago, herons were killed for their feathers that were used to make clothing, especially hats. Although the Migratory BirdTreaty Act now protects them, herons are still atrisk as wetland habitats are lost to development.You can help Heritage Conservancy sustain thegreat blue heron by supporting its efforts to protect the Quakertown Swamp and respectingheron nesting sites.

© STEW SCHRAUGER

© STEW SCHRAUGERThanks…to the National Audubon Society,

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology,USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake BayField Office, NatureServe, Diane Allison and

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forproviding information for this brochure.

This brochure was funded in part by a grantfrom the William Penn Foundation.

For more information on the QuakertownSwamp, contact Heritage Conservancy at:

85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA 18901215-345-7020

or visit our website at:http://www.heritageconservancy.org

© STEW SCHRAUGER

QuakertownSwamp…

…A Home for Herons…A Home for Herons

© STEW SCHRAUGER

Quakertown Swamp and the Great Blue HeronQuakertown Swamp…is the largestinland wetland in Bucks County and is desig-nated by the Audubon Society as an ImportantBird Area. The swamp is located 2 milessoutheast of Quakertown along Bog Run and is518 acres in size. Home to more than 91 birdspecies, the swamp also hosts the largest greatblue heron colony in eastern Pennsylvania.

Although herons can be seen at the swampthroughout the year, the best viewing time is inearly spring during breeding season. Visitorscan stop in the small State Game Lands park-ing lot along Muskrat Road near the intersec-tion of Rich Hill Road. Turn right out of theparking lot and walk 50 yards down MuskratRoad to view the colony of herons on the left.When you return to the parking lot, take a 10-minute walk beyond the gateto see other wildlife and view theshrub-scrub wetlands on the farside of a man-made pond.

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HabitatHerons livein wetlandareas, liketheQuakertownSwamp,where thereis an amplesupply offood andwater andvegetativecover fortheir nests. They spend almost all of the daylooking for food and are especially active at duskand dawn. Herons dine on fish, salamanders,frogs, snakes, rodents, insects and small birds.They catch their prey by walking slowly to stalkan animal and then quickly lunging to capturetheir meal. Occasionally, they may choke tryingto eat something too large to swallow.

BreedingIn March and April, male and female herons takepart in mating rituals and bond into pairs.Typically, hundreds of these pairs gather in acolony or rookery to nest in dead trees (calledsnags) using sticks to create a large platform thatthey cushion with moss, needles, and grass.

Herons lay a clutch of 2 to 6 pale blueeggs that hatch after 28 days. Both“Mom” and “Dad” feed regurgitated fishto the young. As the little birds grow, theywalk around the nest to test their wings.After 6-8 weeks, they leave the nest, takingshort practice flights before leaving home.

© STEW SCHRAUGER

When the heron takes to flight, what a change in size and appearance!…There go two greatundulating wings pinned together, but the body and neck must have been left behind somewhere.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Identifying CharacteristicsA white crown anda long, yellowish billhighlight a heron’shead. A blackplume starts behindits yellow eyes andextends partwaydown its S-shapedneck. The body isblue-gray with“shaggy” feathers atthe base of the neckand on its back. Thebend in the wing is marked with a black patch.Although its tail is short and blunt, its brownishlegs are long and thin. Male and female birdshave similar coloring.

Height: 3' – 5.5' Weight: Approximately 5 pounds

With a wingspan of 6', herons can reach speedsof up to 20 to 30 miles per hour. They flywith a crooked neck,creating a silhouette that is distinctive from other birds.

© MARIE READ

Heron Canada Goose

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

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SurvivalMany juvenile herons do not survive the firstyear, but those that do may live as long as 15years. They return, year after year, to the samerookery to breed, often repairing and reusing oldnests. By raising their young in colonies, heronswork together to protect their flock from preda-tors like raccoons and birds of prey.

© GEORGE JAMESON

© GREGORY GOUGH