Heronry, Stanley Park

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One of the most startling sights in Stanley Park's is the Heronry - where dozens of birds have migrated to nest high in the treetops above.

The Stanley Park Heronry is one of the more awe inspiring sights in the Park in the Spring and Summer seasons. A cluster of around twenty trees has become the largest nesting site for Great Blue Herons in the region, a sight that draws many bird watchers, naturalists and visitors to the park to observe the dozens of pairs and their squawking young. The Herons will nest until their young are able to fly, leaving Stanley Park and returning the next year. The Heronry is a unique experience as these reclusive and elegant birds are never usually spotted in large groups.

Stanley Park has the distinction of having one of the largest Heronry's in the Vancouver Region which rests on the south-eastern edge of the Park near the Beach Avenue entrance.

Empty for most of the year, the Heronry sees most of its activity in the Spring to Summer months when Great Blue Heron pairs fly together and claim a nest, hatching one or two new chicks yearly. Over one hundred of these birds can be spotted in this area at one time with a crescendo of noisy chicks and parents until late summer when the fledling herons learn to fly and part ways. Although safe from many animals, Raccoons, Owls and primarily Eagles have been caught foraging for young chicks and eggs.

Some Herons stay in the Stanley Park region throughout the year and can be seen along the Seawall searching for fish, crabs and other food, or in Lost Lagoon or Beaver Lake.

The Heronry is well documented by naturalists at Stanley Park where an annual report is compiled on the previous years activity. The study of this annual event helps understand the role of Stanley Park as an ecosystems. The continued preservation of the Heronry is important as urban encroachment continues on habitats used by these majestic birds.

Visiting the Heronry is an amazing experience as these reclusive birds are rarely seen this close and in such numbers. Look for the tennis courts on the edge of the Park and relevant signage about the ecological significance of the Heronry.