Photo by Rick Remy
Did you know Ruffner Mountain is a favorite go-to spot for bird watching?
While you are most likely to find hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and songbirds, recently, Green Herons have been spotted foraging near pockets of water within the preserve.
Lianne Koczur, the Science & Conservation Director at Alabama Audubon is interested in finding nesting herons (green herons and yellow-crowned night herons). Her goal is to band the adults and nestlings to learn more about nest success, habitat use, and movements (both local and migratory). You can read more about her research at alaudubon.org/herons.
Some fun facts about the Green Heron:
Green Herons are one of the few bird species known to use tools. They will bait for fish using things like bread, leaves, or feathers to try to lure in fish.
In-flight, the Green Heron resembles a crow, but the wingbeats are slower, it’s a slightly different shape, and the neck is reddish-brown.
Thanks to Ruffner Mountain member and bird lover, Rick Remy, for this beautiful shot of a Green Heron hunting at the Eastern Trailhead (Wetlands).
While it can be fun and educational to see wildlife out on the trails, please remember that all wildlife on Ruffner Mountain is protected. If you leave it alone, it will leave you alone.