by /Suzanne Knrom

If you’d like to see the nesting herons at Black River before the cottonwoods leaf out, this will be the time to do it. Once the trees are leafed out, the nests will be very difficult to see. When we were there last month, we saw 30-40 herons, and counted 18 nests from last year. The birds are pairing up, repairing last years’ nests, and building new ones now. It’s possible that some have started incubating their first eggs. We’ll know if that’s the case if we see herons sitting in their nests, as opposed to standing. 

You are welcome to join us. Details — 

Black River Riparian Forest field trip —

Date/time: Sunday, March 19, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Meet: In the Oakesdale Center parking lot, 600 Oakesdale Ave. SW, Renton 98057. The best place for us all to gather at 3:30pm is near the Northwest Kidney Center. (Sorry, no bathroom access on Sundays.)

If you have binoculars, be sure to bring them. Also, if you’d like to take photos, you’ll need a lens for long distances (equivalent to about a football field away). We’d really appreciate getting copies of your photos! 

Two important notes:

If this is your first visit to this wildlife sanctuary, we strongly recommend attending our field trip so you’ll know the best viewing areas and safest route. (Taking a different route will give you an entirely different experience and is definitely not recommended.)

In case anyone wants to visit on their own in the future, please do not go alone. Black River Riparian Forest is 96 wooded acres and the vast majority of it is very isolated. I’ll add that if you find yourself in trouble, call 911. However the challenge would be in identifying exactly where you are because there are no markers.  

I hope you can join us! Please let me know if you can make it. 

Suzanne