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WildLookout

Opportunity scores are planning aids, not sighting guarantees. How scoring works

Wildlife welfare comes before any photograph.

Sightings from eBird
Weather by Open-Meteo
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Tiles by OpenFreeMap · Terrain from AWS Terrain Tiles

Wading bird

Green heron

Butorides virescens

A small, secretive heron that arrives in spring to breed around marshes, ponds and sloughs in lowland Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Seasonality

Peaks in June. Uncommon summer visitor, mainly April to September.

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Behavior

Stands motionless at the water's edge or on low branches, then strikes quickly at small fish.
Sometimes drops bits of bait or debris on the water to lure fish.
Flies off low over the water with a sharp "skeow" call when disturbed.

Photography tips

Scan shaded edges and overhanging branches; its dark plumage blends into shadow.
Expose for the bird rather than the bright water, and use low morning light to bring out the chestnut neck.

Field ethics

Stay on trails and boardwalks; nests sit low in shrubs near the water.

Where to look

Tennant LakeWhatcom County · Peaks in June
Barrell Springs WetlandsSkagit County · Peaks in June
Wiley SloughSkagit County · Peaks in June