A Green Heron flying along Sand Creek.

A juvenile Green Heron in Westerly Creek near the Rec Center.

Green Heron

For the last two years, the Green Heron, a small heron of the eastern United States has been a vagrant in Northeast Denver during Fall migration. I first encountered this bird in 2018 when a Green Heron hung around Bluff Lake Nature Center for the entire summer. In Fall 2022, I saw two Green Herons, an adult and a juvenile, passing through.

This year, the sighting of another Green Heron happened along Sand Creek and caused unanticipated delight among birders. The Green Heron is a short and stocky bird with broad wings and a daggerlike bill. The crown feathers are raised at times to show a short crest. The color is a deep blue green on the back with a rich chestnut breast and neck. The wings are dark gray and the legs yellow. It hunts by standing very still in shallow water to wait for a fish to swim by. Then it lunges and darts its head, grasping the fish in its beak.

Black-crowned Night-Heron fishing along Westerly Creek.

Other herons have appeared in Front Porch: the Great Blue Heron, the Black-crowned Night Heron, and the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Search “Heron” at www.FrontPorchNE.com to learn more.

Bird Walks: Nov. 4. & Dec. 2; two-hour walk starting at 8am. Free but must RSVP at blufflake.org/birdwatching. All are welcome. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow a pair from your guide. 11255 MLK Blvd.