Hi Everyone...I'm fairly new to Dave's Garden. We have a Blue Heron rookery on our place and just a few minutes ago a brancher sort of fell through the fence. He's a long way from the nest. He is mostly feathered out but still a bit fuzzy and very un-coordinated. My son put him back into the pasture and he's walking the fence line into a lightly forested area on our place.
I will watch to see if he's getting fed by a parent but if he isn't and I need to rescue him/her, how would I feed such a baby? Goldfish? Mice? Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Oh, we also have some large and mighty Red Tails with a young one flying around making a lot of noise lately. What are the chances they might go after the Heron baby?
Brancher Blue Heron
Hi KJane and welcome!
Is he close to where the nest area is? If they are feeding him just monitor the situation.
The Rt Hawks may just go after him.
I would think small fish would be best to feed him if you have to but there are rehabbers around for you to contact if the need arises.
If the parent doesn't come and you do need to rescue it, first, and VERY important, wear safety goggles at all times. Herons defend themselves by stabbing with that long beak, and they aim (highly accurately) for eyes. There are cases of people being blinded by herons they were trying to rescue.
For feeding, any fish from the fishmonger would do - no need to get Goldfish. They can swallow quite large fish whole - sardines, herrings, or similar.
It would be a foolhardily brave R-t Hawk to go for a heron!
Resin
Thank You! I haven't seen him for the rest of the day. I will do a search tomorrow. The Red Tails were diving in several places today...the youngster is learning to hunt. I don't think they were after the baby. He seemed so fragile and couldn't walk very well, both indications to me that he somehow fell out of the nest. He's quite a distance from the nesting area, I'm hoping if he continued to follow the fencing he ended up back in the march/creek area where the Herons hang out alot and Mom and Dad found him.
I understand about those formidable beaks Herons have...this little guy (big little guy) was too young to really try to defend himself.
I'll let you know what happens, if anything. In all the years we've had the Herons nesting here this is the first youngster I've seen like this. There has been a lot of noise back there, I can only wonder at how he fell out of his home, and survived...they nest at least 80 ft up and their nests are 3 to 4 feet across.
(on edit)
Thanks for the welcome and the good suggestions.
This message was edited Jun 28, 2009 7:37 PM
Well I have good news...both parents and 3 chicks were spotted this morning in the marsh. Very noisy and active group and they stayed until about 11am. Sooo all is well. I'm so relieved...
I wish I had a working camera with a lens I could get pictures with for you. Maybe next year. They were beautiful to watch.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
That is great news Jane! Thanks for telling us.