Herons in southern California

[Mikey]

I thought this was an interesting article on Herons in southern California: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/25/ap/tech/mainD8KC4D880.shtml
Prior to retiring, my work location was next door to El Dorado Park which is a large regional park in Long Beach.  There were open fields next to my work location and I frequently saw both Herons and Egrets hunting gophers in the fields.  They would stalk them much like a cat and when the gophers poked their heads up I would see dust fly when the birds would strike their prey.  It was common to see them flying overhead with a gopher in their mouth.  There are several lakes in this park and I seldom would see the Herons near the water....

[tammie]

Interesting article.  I thought herons were endangered, and on the "no kill" list, whatever the list is called, can't remember right now... Then I read this in the article:

The birds gained further protection in 1918, when the Migratory Bird Treaty Act allowed states to set seasons and enforce limits on hunting. Since then, herons have gradually returned to their previous numbers and are not endangered

So, what does that mean?  There are certain months that heron can be hunted?
Tammie

[Bonnie]

I know that here in Indiana, Herons are on a "protected" species list. 

[milliemax]

I'm pretty sure herons/egrets are on the protected list in CA.
  I went on a bird watching hike here in Sonoma Co. last year just to see the herons/egrets in their nesting habitat. It was very cool.
  My DH actually spotted an endangered heron!

[JohnInFlorida]

below is link to current endangered species list for birds:


It sure surprised me ...

Egrets:  Chinese only
Herons: none

http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/SpeciesReport.do?groups=B&listingType=L

Keep Smilin'
John 

[Bonnie]

There's an endangered list AND a protected list ........

Herons aren't endangered so they're on the protected list to prevent them from being endangered.

I'm thinking twice about "protecting" the one that is currently stalking my ponds!

[Daisy]

This isn't a very good picture, but I had to take it out of the window so I wouldn't scare them.
They were both sitting together. Thats the first time I ever saw them sitting so close to each other.

[Mikey]

Good link John.  Thanks for posting it.