I recently discovered the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve while I was doing a quick google search online on blue heron colonies. After reading about this reserve I decided it was a must place to visit.
Wow, what a great discovery this nature reserve was. The nature reserve sits on a 130 hectare site located on the undyked floodplain of the Vedder River and managed by the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society. There are over 100 heron nests in the trees. If you walk the Rotary Trail West along the dyke road you will get your chance to see all the nests and watch the herons fly around. From March to June they are extremely active in the area as it is nesting season.
Now besides for the herons you will get plenty of opportunity to see other birds as well. Amongst the heron nests you will spot one large eagle nests. There are a pair of eagles nesting in the area as well which provides them with an ample food source. You may also spot other species of heron, ducks, cranes, hawks, sandpipers, gulls, owls, woodpeckers, sparrows etc.
There are 4 trails to choose from in the nature reserve, 2 of which you can walk your pooch on.
Trails:
- Heron Colony Loop Trail (1.2km - 40min)
* from March - July this trail is closed to protect the heron's nesting site.
- Salwein Creek Loop (0.5km - 20min)
- Rotary Trail East Loop (3.6km - 1hr)
* pooch friendly trail
- Rotary Trail West Loop (3.6km -hr)
* pooch friendly trail read more