400 Blackcapped Night Heron visit Lincoln Park Zoo

[Gloria]

The area is being fenced off to protect the nests. Urban biodiversity...you thought it was all racoons and rodents didn't you...LOL.

Rare Black-Crowned Night Herons Thrive at Zoo ... As Visitors - Lincoln Park - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Mason Fidino, the zoo's coordinator of wildlife management, conducts routine morning counts of the birds, which he said numbered 403 on Thursday.

between half and three-quarters of the herons currently are building nests, the majority of which exist in a line of ash and linden trees just south of the Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk.

[jack]

Originally Posted by Gloria

The area is being fenced off to protect the nest. Urban biodiversity...you thought it was all racoons and rodents didn't you...LOL.

Rare Black-Crowned Night Herons Thrive at Zoo ... As Visitors - Lincoln Park - DNAinfo.com Chicago

What a great story! I like the irony of zoo keepers, usually captive animal caretakers, building fences for the wild visiting birds. 'Tis very cool!

[Gloria]

Lincoln Park Zoo Boardwalk has a blog that lets you know what other creatures are visiting the zoo (as opposed to zoo residents).

Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo
By transforming the South Pond into Nature Boardwalk, Lincoln Park Zoo has created an urban ecosystem in the heart of the city. Enjoy a virtual view as native plants and animals establish themselves in this rare refuge.

Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo

[Gloria]

Jack, the pond and boardwalk with native plantings has been very successful. Many Blackcapped heron had been nesting at the old south pond before renovations but the new plantings seem to be making the area even more habitat friendly.

[jack]

Originally Posted by Gloria

Jack, the pond and boardwalk with native plantings has been very successful. Many Blackcapped heron had been nesting at the old south pond before renovations but the new plantings seem to be making the area even more habitat friendly.

Yea, it appears to be doing wonders for the heron population, and, best of all, they have chosen a site where protection and interest in them are maximized. A best case scenario all around!