IYKYK: Boulevard Park’s Great Blue Heron

Y’all — I need the community to rally and name this gorgeous Blue Heron OR if this bird has a name, please tell me! I am so curious!

Did you know Great Blue Herons live year-round in the Salish Sea?

Whenever Chef and I go for walks around Boulevard Park, The Bellingham Boardwalk, Taylor Dock there is one sight we always stop by to see if anybody is home: Boulevard Park’s Great Blue Heron. Perfectly picturesque on the limbs of trees watching passerby’s all day. It’s one of those: “if you know, you know” Bellingham things.

Whenever we stop and stare at this giant dinosaur of a creature I’m truly surprised by how many other people don’t know that this Heron loves to roost among the branches so close to the path.

I feel like I crossed paths with this Blue Heron perhaps a year or two ago and I can’t find much more lore on it than that. I’ll get into the history of the Post Point Heron Colony later — But if you want to see this beautiful soul you don’t have to venture that far!

Park at Boulevard and travel the first length of the “South Bay Trail” which is the first little boardwalk. At the end of that first little diddy you’ll be “back on land” immediately look to your left and there will be a little alcove path, then look up. If the Heron is home, that’s where they will be. I’d like to note, please be respectful and honor it’s home. Admire, move on, good nature, birdwatching etiquette.

When the Heron is home it does feel shockingly close. Sometimes it’ll be sleeping, it’s neck tucked into it’s feathers, other times it’ll be preening and maybe you’ll see a feather float away in the wind. I’ve only ever seen this one Heron amongst these branches there. If you’re wishing to see a nest or little Herons there are a whole bunch of nests if you adventure to Little Squalicum Park (specifically: Little Squalicum Estuary).

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Now, I promised I would share a little history I found while trying to hunt for this Blue Heron’s name and lore. According to Fairhaven History I learned about Post Point Heron Colony which is, “adjacent to Marine Park… one of seven remaining pocket estuaries in Bellingham Bay.”

According to the City of Bellingham:

“Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) are frequently seen in Whatcom County, yet their nesting colonies ​​​​​​​are relatively rare and vulnerable to disturbance. These elegant birds like to frequent shorelines, estuaries, lagoons, marshes, and similar habitats. Great Blue Heron nesting colonies are identified as Priority Area by Washington State.”

They also suggest the following when it comes to the Herons around Post Point Lagoon and Little Squalicum Park :

• Maintain distance of at least 300 feet from herons feeding along the beach or lagoon.

• Use binoculars from a distance for a great way to get a better view.

• Stay on the trail or in open lawn areas at least 200 feet away from the colony. This includes dogs.

• Limit noise and large groups when within and near the heron nesting and feeding areas.

• Avoid flying drones, kites, or using kite boards in the heron nesting and feeding areas or within 300 feet of the colony, and in keeping with FAA drone regulations.

Be a steward and keeper of this knowledge.

Now as far as our Boulevard Park Blue Heron Resident goes, I think we can all do our part to admire from afar and protect this Heron and it’s chosen roosting spot. There is a true part of my heart that fears bringing attention to this stunning bird’s home. However, I also believe we can be stewards as well. We can protect what we know is there. Take pride in these creatures who call the Salish Sea home and move forward with knowledge and respect and enjoy living side by side.