There’s something prehistoric about watching the nesting of the Great Blue Herons on Goat Island in West Linn.
The mammoth birds, which can grow to 54 inches tall and have a wingspan between 66-79 inches, glide through the trees and along the banks of the Willamette with ease and grace.
But it’s hearing them squawk that gives a person pause. The echoing across the Willamette makes a person feel that they’ve gone back millions of years when even larger creatures roamed the earth.
Fortunately for residents of West Linn who live along the Willamette, or visitors to Maddax Woods who come to see the giant birds nesting habitat each year, the sights and sounds are awe inspiring.
People wanting to see the Great Blue Herons can do so by visiting Maddax Woods, located in West Linn off River Road and located just down the hill past the West Linn Public Library.
There you’ll be able to see one of one of the largest Great Blue Heron nesting areas in the Portland area which averages 30-plus active nesting sites.
The heron rookery is located on Goat Island — 23 acres covered in ivy and bushes. Because it is an island in the Willamette, it offers the herons the privacy and seclusion from humans that they need to have a successful heron rookery.
As noted in a previous West Linn Tidings story, a 2014 report authored by Joe Liebezeit, staff biologist with the Audubon Society of Portland, noted that while Great Blue Herons are very sensitive to disturbances near their rookeries (nest colonies), it is possible for them to coexist with humans in urban environments — and in fact the Portland metro area has several large rookeries. In 2014 citizen scientists counted 67 active nests on Goat Island, more than any other in the metro rookeries.
Helping people understand more about these Giant Blue Herons are the Friends of Maddax Woods.
During the early spring and into June, the volunteer group offers heron watch events where attendees can try on life-size heron wings, learn what a heron footprint looks like, compare your height to that of a heron at two weeks to full grown adult and, most importantly, see the herons as they soar, glide and squawk during nesting season.
Their next Heron Watch event is happening Sunday, April 7, from 1-3 p.m. — weather permitting. Below is the list of other Heron Watch 2024 dates:
Sunday, April 7, 1-3 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, 1-3 p.m.
Sunday, May 12, 1-3 p.m.
Sunday, June 2, 1-3 p.m.
People who go to see the herons now will see them in nesting mode. Many of the herons can be seen flying and carrying branches from other trees to add to their nests — which can be up to four feet in diameter.
And don’t forget to bring your binoculars! You can easily see the birds with your own eyes from shore, but an up-close view is truly special.
For more information about upcoming Heron Watch 2024 events go to https://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/heron-watch-maddax-woods-park
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