Great Blue Heron-Cam Now Live

HERON-CAM NOW LIVE!

Amy Clinton-Baker, Coordinator Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is proud to announce the launch of our live-stream Heron-Cam! Tune in for an incredible birdseye view of the largest heron colony on Vancouver Island. Last year over 110 nests were counted in the heronry with over 200 herons in residence!

In the last week of February staff at the Nature Centre noticed two heron ‘scouts’ circling the bay checking out their heronry in the nearby ravine. Within days, a ‘battery’ of herons flew overhead and landed in the shallows of low tide at the estuary. This captivating event was timed perfectly with completing and connecting our live-stream heron-cam. The camera, installed atop a 68-foot tower at Wessex Ravine Park will join the global wildlife bird-camera movement and be a valuable component of nature education for over 5,000 visitors to the Centre, plus 1,000+ students, each year. In addition, critical data will be collected and provided to local biologists, government agencies and conservationists working to preserve the habitat of our Pacific Great Blue Herons, fannini subspecies, a

Image Barry Hetschko Image Barry Hetschko

Blue Listed Species of Special Concern under the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA).

Launching the webcam was made possible through the dedication of many people, starting in 2018 with a family bequest gratefully received from heron enthusiast Ann McKinnon.

To learn more visit our website at www.cowichanestuary.ca and witness a live-stream view of the Cowichan Bay Heronry by clicking on the Heron Cam 2021 tab.

Want to help us keeping the live-stream streaming? Go to: https://www.canadahelps.org/ en/dn/m/41033/donation While our doors are temporarily closed to the public due to Covid, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre offers plenty of things to do both outside and online, including school programs, restoration workshops, and soon Summer camps and more!