great blue herons Archives - Stanley Park Ecology (SPE)

Jun 17, 2026 @ 06:00 pmEvents

Heron Colony Tour: Fledging Season

Did you know that every spring, Pacific great blue herons take to over 100 nests to raise their young, right here in Stanley Park at the edge of Downtown Vancouver? Join SPE Educator Julia for a special site visit to the heron rookery and learn all about how these beautiful and large birds navigate the canopy, build their nests, and raise their fledglings. You’ll also discover how Stanley Park Ecology supports the heron colony by monitoring their success during regular surveys and installing anti-predation tools. This is part of our annual series of heron programming! This time of year, more and more hatchlings can be heard making their chorus of ‘tik-tik-tik’ sounds in the nests above, and some older chicks are getting ready to learn how to fly and fledge the nest!

3 immature great blue herons are in a nest, seen from below — Photo: Martin Passchier

Apr 22, 2026 @ 06:00 pmEvents

Birds and Brews [CANCELLED]

Join us for a walk to the heron colony, where we’ll learn all about the herons who nest in what we call “Stanley Park” and get updates about the rookery so far this season. In late April, the herons typically spend a lot of time coming and going from the nests to continue nest maintenance and feed the incubating adult heron in the nest, and these birds should be quite active as we venture around Lost Lagoon and to their nests. The walk will end with a drink at Stanley Park Brewing with a view of the heron colony at the reserved group table, and participants can stay for a meal if desired. Tickets include one can* of a beer from Stanley Park Brewing, supporting Stanley Park Ecology’s ongoing conservation and monitoring efforts of the heron colony.

This event is in collaboration with Stanley Park Brewing and offered as part of the Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration!

heron up in tree next to large nest and blue sky — Photo: James Stevenson; great blue heron

May 16, 2026 @ 11:00 amEvents

Heron Colony Tour: Hatchling Season [FULL]

Did you know that every spring, Pacific great blue herons take to over 100 nests to raise their young, right here in Stanley Park at the edge of Downtown Vancouver? Join Educator Julia for a special site visit to the heron rookery and learn all about how these beautiful and large birds navigate the canopy, build their nests, and raise their fledglings. You’ll also discover how Stanley Park Ecology supports the heron colony by monitoring their success during regular surveys and installing anti-predation tools. This is part of our annual series of heron programming! This time of year, the first hatchlings can be heard making their chorus of ‘tik-tik-tik’ sounds in the nests above, as other adult herons continue to lay and incubate eggs. This event is part of the Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration!

adult great blue heron sitting in nest with bare tree branches and blue sky behind it — Photo: Greg Hart; adult great blue heron

Apr 11, 2026 @ 02:00 pmEvents

The Herons are Here: Colony Tour [FULL]

Did you know that every spring, Pacific great blue herons take to over 100 nests to raise their young, right here in Stanley Park at the edge of Downtown Vancouver? Join Educator Julia for a special site visit to the heron rookery and learn all about how these beautiful and large birds navigate the canopy, build their nests, and raise their fledglings. You’ll also discover how Stanley Park Ecology supports the heron colony by protecting them from predators and monitoring their success in summer surveys. This is part of our annual series, “The Herons are Here”! This time of year, there is a lot of bustling activity in the canopy as herons maintain their nests and start to lay eggs.

heron flying with a stick in its beak — Photo: Martin Passchier; great blue heron

Mar 28, 2026 @ 02:30 pmEvents

The Herons are Here: Colony Tour [FULL]

Did you know that every spring, Pacific great blue herons take to over 100 nests to raise their young, right here in Stanley Park at the edge of Downtown Vancouver? Join Educator Julia for a special site visit to the heron rookery and learn all about how these beautiful and large birds navigate the canopy, build their nests, and raise their fledglings. You’ll also discover how Stanley Park Ecology supports the heron colony by protecting them from predators and monitoring their success in summer surveys. This is part of our annual series, “The Herons are Here”! This time of year, there is a lot of bustling activity in the canopy as herons maintain their nests and start to lay eggs.

heron flying with conifer branch in its beak, against a blue sky — Photo: James Stevenson

Mar 11, 2026 @ 05:30 pmEvents

The Herons are Here: Colony Tour

Did you know that every spring, Pacific great blue herons take to over 100 nests to raise their young, right here in Stanley Park at the edge of Downtown Vancouver? Join Educator Julia for a special site visit to the heron rookery and learn all about how these beautiful and large birds navigate the canopy, build their nests, and raise their fledglings. You’ll also discover how Stanley Park Ecology supports the heron colony by protecting them from predators and monitoring their success in summer surveys. This is part of our annual series, “The Herons are Here”! This time of year, there is a lot of bustling activity in the canopy as herons maintain their nests and start to lay eggs

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