We’ve seen this Great Blue Heron for the past couple of weeks in Lakefield (mostly at the locks/power station, but also at the marina) and wonder if it should have gone south by now? From what I’ve read, they leave in late September to mid-October depending on conditions, but it’s getting quite cold at night now. When it was at the marina, it walked from the dock to each boat slip, opening and closing its mouth… almost as though it was looking for a handout. There were several boats there, but since it was fairly early in the morning, nobody had gotten up yet. Is it unusual for a heron to still be in the area?
Gwen Forsyth, Lakefield
(Note: It’s actually quite common for Great Blue Herons to linger in the Kawarthas quite late in the fall, sometimes into early December. Food is really the determining factor. If they can find enough nourishment, they’ll often stay beyond their usual early to mid-October departure date. Occasionally, we’ll even see one or two in winter. D.M.)
Great Blue Heron perched on one leg at Lakefield power station (Gwen Forsyth – Oct. 4, 2014)
