Montana Audubon Citizen Science
  • Home
  • Black Swifts
    • BLSW Survey Resources
    • BLSW protocol and training
    • BLSW Survey Sites
    • Black Swifts Shirts
  • Chimney Swifts
    • CHSW Survey Resources >
      • CHSW Training
      • CHSW Survey 123
    • CHSW Survey Sites >
      • CHSW Region 5
      • CHSW Region 6
      • CHSW Region 7
  • Climate Watch
  • Great Blue Heron
    • GBHE Survey Resources >
      • GBHE Survey Sites
      • GBHE Survey 123
      • GBHE Training
  • Harlequin Duck
  • Long Billed Curlew
    • LBCU Survey Resources
    • LBCU Survey Sites
    • LBCU Survey 123
  • Nest Watch
  • Rosy-finches
    • RF Survey Resources
    • RF Survey Sites
  • Home
  • Black Swifts
    • BLSW Survey Resources
    • BLSW protocol and training
    • BLSW Survey Sites
    • Black Swifts Shirts
  • Chimney Swifts
    • CHSW Survey Resources >
      • CHSW Training
      • CHSW Survey 123
    • CHSW Survey Sites >
      • CHSW Region 5
      • CHSW Region 6
      • CHSW Region 7
  • Climate Watch
  • Great Blue Heron
    • GBHE Survey Resources >
      • GBHE Survey Sites
      • GBHE Survey 123
      • GBHE Training
  • Harlequin Duck
  • Long Billed Curlew
    • LBCU Survey Resources
    • LBCU Survey Sites
    • LBCU Survey 123
  • Nest Watch
  • Rosy-finches
    • RF Survey Resources
    • RF Survey Sites
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is North America’s largest heron and a Montana avian species of concern. Herons nest in colonies, or rookeries, along major waterways, often in mature cottonwood galleries. The Great Blue Heron is an indicator species as it relies on healthy, productive riparian systems for foraging and nesting. A number of factors may be affecting the population decline, including: decline of riparian cottonwood stands, increased urban sprawl and human disturbance, or changing conditions of waterways. With changing conditions, it is not uncommon to see herons abandon nests and relocate, moving to more remote and undisturbed areas making it harder to survey populations. Breeding Bird Survey data indicates that populations have declined every year from 1966 to 2015. To better track this species, Montana Audubon partnered with the Montana Natural Heritage Program to improve and support greater statewide inventory and monitoring.
The Great Blue Heron Rookery survey season will take place from May 1- June 10.
Picture
About Great Blue Herons
Identify a GBHE
​Click for more information on Great Blue Heron identification, habitat, nesting and more.
Picture
Survey Resources
​Click here for survey materials including survey protocols, Training, and survey location maps.
Please email Peter Dudley at peter@mtaudubon.org if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for this unique effort.

Picture
Join Our Online Network
By joining our online network, you will receive timely conservation updates, legislative news, our monthly eNews, information about upcoming events and more.

Montana Audubon depends on your financial support
Give Now
Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.