COUNTING HERON 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     THE NATIONAL—HERON census ‘ Hy Rosemary Curley 
     
    
   
   
    
     The 1980 heron census is old news now, but in preparation for this year's 
     
     effort, we might want to review last year's results. To summarize (see table), 
     
     12 of 14 known colonies were censused, one in winter, and one new colony at 
     
     Blooming Point was located by Paul Strain. Three colonies were found deserted, 
     
     and an old colony site last recorded as unused at Herring Island remained 
     
     unoccupied. Some large colonies were very accurately censused, while others 
     
     in thick vegetation proved very tricky to count. Censusing at the proper time 
     
     was difficult with weather playing a role in preventing heron counters from 
     
     reaching their island destinations. (Many who reached the islands owe their 
     
     thanks to Federal Fisheries officers and their free transportation.) A 
     
     preliminary total of 859 active nests was found in 1980. In 1981 with a year 
     
     of census experience, better coordination, and a little luck with weather, we 
     
     should be able to fill in some gaps. ' 
     
    

    
     For more information on the Maritime census results, census techniques 
     
     and the rationale behind the heron census, participants of the 1980 census and 
     
     would-be participants of the '81 census are invited to the April meeting when 
     
     Mr. Al Smith, the Maritime Heron Census coordinator will discuss the afore- 
     
     mentioned topics. Those interested in just looking at herons should enjoy the 
     
     presentation of an excellent new National Film Board production on Great Blue 
     
     Herons, which'Al is bringing along. 
     
    
   
   
    
     N 
     
    
   
   
    
     1980 HERON CENSUS RESULTS 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Number of Actual or 
     
     C°1°ny Active Nests Estimate Observers 
     
    

    
     Kings County 
     
    

    
     1. Boughton Island 30+ Estimate John Wright 
     
    

    
     2. Herring Island 0 Actual Debbie Peters, Bill 
     
    

    
     Glen and Sid Watts 
     
    

    
     3. Cherry Island 29 Actual D.Peters, B.Glenn, S.Watts 
     
    

    
     4. Thomas Island 100 Estimate D.Peters, B.Glenn, S.Watts 
     
     Queens County 
     
    

    
     . St. Peters Island 30 Winter count Winifred Cairns 
     
     6. Governor‘s Island 100+ Estimate Bob Thompson, Richard 
     
     Holden 
     
    

    
     7. Judson's Island 0 Actual Geoff Hogan 
     
    

    
     8. Glenfinnan Island 182 Actual Bruce Smith, Alfred Morais 
     
    

    
     9. Rustico Island 98 Actual P.E.I. National Park staff 
     
     10. North Granville 0 Actual Margaret Mallett 
     
    

    
     Prince County 
     
    

    
     11. Holman's Island Not censused 
     
     ’12. Courtin Island . Not censused but noted to be active 
     
    

    
     13. George Island 0 Actual Winifred Cairns, Anne Landry 
     
     14. 0ulton's Island 270 Actual Gerald and Alanagh MacDougall, 
     
    
   
   
    
     Penelope Player, Dana Pushie 
     
    
   
   
    
     New Colonies 
     
     15. Blooming Point 20+ Estimate Paul Strain 
     
    
   
   
    
     Total number of active nests 859 (C.W.S. estimate was 1200 pairs)