Heron Colony Observation Survey

Help needed

The Pennsylvania Game Commission gathers heron colony observations to improve its ability to monitor heron populations and distribution throughout the state. The survey focuses chiefly on the great blue heron, and the state-endangered black-crowned night-heron and yellow-crowned night-heron, which are Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan priority species.

If you know where herons are nesting, we'd appreciate hearing from you. Don't assume someone else will report local nests. To get started, please) read the Heron Colony Observation Protocol (PDF) to approach this fieldwork in a way that will help science and not disrupt nesting herons. Submit your observations directly https://pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/HeronColonyForm.

Filling out the survey is straightforward. It helps that herons are interesting and large enough to be observed and identified at a distance. Their nests should be monitored with binoculars from a safe distance. Please do not approach nests. We are primarily interested in nest location and number, total bird (both adult and juvenile), the type of habitat they're found in, the layout of the colony, and document threats to nesting colonies. The survey also asks participants to document their effort.

For information on the natural history and conservation of night-herons in Pennsylvania, please review the Endangered and Threatened Species section.

Great blue herons are secure in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Biological Survey recommends management attention due to their colonial nesting behavior. They also serve as an indicator for high-quality habitats. Great egrets and yellow-crowned and black-crowned night-herons are Endangered in Pennsylvania and  high priorities for conservation action in the Wildlife Action Plan because they are species most at risk and/or are experiencing the most dramatic declines within Pennsylvania, but are not at risk at the regional, national, or global level.

The Commonwealth has more than 46,000 square miles for nesting herons. Together, we can assess the status of Pennsylvania's current heron populations and create a "snapshot" of the distribution of nesting herons statewide. The information will be used to update the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program database and enable biologists to better understand the status of these priority species.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to help us with this important survey and to spend time helping our wild birds.