Many juvenile herons have left their nests in the Beacon Hill Park colony; the rest will soon follow. After leaving the nests, their parents no longer feed them. Finding and capturing enough food to survive is difficult and the birds must learn by trial and error. About half of the young herons will die in their first year.
Young birds make the mistake of standing for hours in non-productive areas. They catch fish too large to swallow. Catching very small fish will not provide enough calories. Each fish must be tossed into the air to position it head-first for swallowing and yet not be dropped.
No wonder they become hungry and thin.
Many of Beacon Hill Park's young birds are searching for food on Dallas Road beaches right now. Unfortunately, that is where dog owners allow their dogs to chase birds. Dogs not only stop herons from finding food but force them, over and over, to use up energy to escape.
Herons are not the only birds chased by off-leash dogs on beaches. Our shoreline is an important stop for migratory birds, especially in fall and spring. The birds need food and rest but are forced to fly again and again by pursuing dogs.
Beaches from Ten Mile Point to Esquimalt are designated by the federal government as the Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary. Dog owners should help young herons and other birds survive by not allowing dogs to chase them on beaches.
Janis Ringuette
Victoria
