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PRESS RELEASE
Public Protects Davis Slough Heron Nesting Colony
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust announced on September 24, 2003 that it has raised the funds needed to purchase the Davis Slough Heronry. This means that one of the five largest Great Blue Heron nesting colonies remaining in Puget Sound will now be protected from development.
The successful private fundraising effort, led by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and Friends of Camano Island Parks, was matched, dollar for dollar, by a Conservation Futures grant from Island County. The total cost of the project is $510,000.
Cary Peterson, Vice-President of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, said, "The property will be purchased in the next two weeks and set aside to provide a sanctuary for the nearly 400 Great Blue Herons who breed and raise their young in the 190-nest colony." She added that "The protection effort was successful because of the generosity of heron lovers from all over Puget Sound and beyond. Camano Islanders were especially supportive. In all, over 500 people donated to the project and showed how deeply they care abut these wonderful birds and how much they value the habitat that herons need to thrive."
The Davis Slough Heronry, home to nearly 400 adult Great Blue Herons, is located on Camano Island, between the rich feeding grounds of Skagit Bay and Port Susan Bay. The largest heronry in Island County has experienced rapid growth, going from just 30 nests in 1991 to over 190 in 2003. The Davis Slough Herons can be seen stalking small fish and other prey in tidal areas and wetlands in the shoreline areas of Island, Snohomish and Skagit counties. Herons are colonial nesters, constructing nests side by side, "condominium" style.
The Great Blue Herons from the Davis Slough nesting colony are easily seen throughout the area. Pam Pritzl, co-chair of the Friends of Camano Island Parks, has led many birding trips to the public waterfront access sites at nearby Iverson Spit and English Boom. Pritzl said, "It is a truly amazing sight to see up to 200 Great Blue Herons at a time feeding and foraging in the intertidal areas near the nesting colony." Pritzl adds that "Protecting the Davis Slough Herons' nesting site will ensure that current and future generations are able to enjoy these ancient birds for a long time to come."
"This protection effort was extremely gratifying," said Patricia Powell, executive director of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust. "Private donations, from the very small to the very large, came from a wide range of people who all shared a common passion to see the Davis Slough Herons have a safe nesting site."
Powell also expressed great appreciation to Lee Gunerius, an associate broker with Preview Properties in Stanwood, and his assistant Kathleen Christian. "Lee and Kathleen worked very long and hard to put together the property deal between the landowner and the Land Trust. They went beyond the normal call of duty. Their professional efforts and ability to work with a wide range of people helped to ensure that the citizens of Island County and the State of Washington will continue to enjoy these magnificent birds," explained Powell.
One anonymous donor, an authentic Heron Hero, gave $70,000 to the project. Many donors recalled heron colonies near their childhood homes that were destroyed by development. Other donors expressed how much they cherish seeing Great Blue Herons while others gave in memory of loved ones who had deep regard for herons.
Sculptor David Maritz of Camano Island donated 50% of the proceeds from the sale of his large bronze heron sculpture titled "Startled to Flight" to support the Heronry purchase effort. Floyd and Delores Jones of Camano Island purchased the heron sculpture and are donating it to the Stanwood Senior Center in memory of Allie and Ellen Sundin Haglund, parents of Delores Jones. "This was a truly unique opportunity for someone to donate a beautiful sculpture for a public purpose and support the preservation of these magnificent birds," commented Gayle Picken, Maritz's spokesperson.
Stewardship Donations: Now that the property has been purchased, the property and heron rookery will need to be cared for. Please consider giving to the Davis Slough Stewardship Fund.
For over 15 years, after having been forced out of nearby nesting sites, herons have come to this one precious stand of trees on north Camano Island. Each year more birds come to this ideal site. The Heronry has expanded from 30 nests in 1991 to over 188 nests in 2003. Herons are adept at weaving nests in high tree canopies. With long toes, they grip branches and twigs and construct nests side by side, "condominium" style. The size of the heronry grows with the amount of food available nearby.
One of Puget Sound's Five Largest Heronries - and Growing: The 188-nest Davis Slough colony is the only heronry on Camano Island and the largest in both Island County and the Skagit Bay-Port Susan Bay area. It is one of the five largest nesting colonies in Puget Sound. Fifty percent (50%) of the Great Blue Heron breeding population in Puget Sound is concentrated in just five colonies. This made the Davis Slough Heronry extremely important to protect.
The Heronry is in an ideal location, being close to the rich feeding grounds of Skagit Bay and Port Susan Bay. It is also relatively isolated from humans and predators. Now that it is protected, biologists believe the Davis Slough Heronry will continue to grow and thrive as herons from other colonies are forced out by development and other disturbances.
Development Imperiled Nesting Colony: The 31-acre property surrounding the nesting colony was listed for sale for six home sites. Great Blue Herons are very sensitive to human intrusion, needing to raise their chicks in secluded places close to wetland and estuary feeding grounds. For herons, houses mean the loss of their peace and sense of security. When people move in, herons move out, fearing discovery and harassment. They leave in hopes of finding another place where their young are secure enough to survive. Escalating human encroachment means such places are few and far between. More and more colonies are being abandoned as nearby land is developed. Thanks to many generous donors, the Herons at the Davis Slough site now have a home to come back to next year and for many years to come.
Strategy for Protection: To ensure the Heronry will thrive, the purchased 31-acres includes all 188 heron nests, room for nesting expansion, and an essential buffer area that will help maintain the privacy this species craves.
The property will be owned by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and managed as part of the Skagit Wildlife Area as heron nesting habitat. A conservation easement, held by Island County, will encumber and ensure protection of the property. This legal document will prohibit development, hunting and public access from occurring on the Davis Slough property. The Friends of Camano Island Parks, a local group, will help to manage the site and keep it secure for the Herons.
Great Blue Herons - A Vital Part of our Natural Heritage: Protection of the Davis Slough Heronry will allow the Great Blue Herons the seclusion they need to raise their young. Preserving the Herons' home will ensure that we continue to see Great Blue Herons feeding and foraging in the wetlands and estuaries of Island, Skagit and Snohomish counties.
Thank You For Your Support!
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