I stopped by the viewing spot along Loudoun County Parkway last weekend to check on the Great Blue Herons. 

This is a great time to view the roost because the trees have not leafed out yet and you can see the birds finely silhouetted against the sky.

Along the different tree clusters, I counted around 50 nests – some looking smaller than in the past, possibly due to storm damage from the snows and others perhaps just being built.  The greatest thing to see though is the pairs as they stand together on the nests, nuzzling each other, bringing in sticks to add to the nests, and other courtship activities.

In coming weeks they’ll lay their eggs and then they’ll be busy through the spring raising their chicks. We’ll continue to pop by to watch them, staying far back from the rookery and using the spotting scope so not to disturb their important activities of the season.