Biology Project Abstract
DYNAMICS OF THE MORRIS GREAT BLUE HERON ROOKERY (2001)
Presenters:
Catherine Breckenridge, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; reader@imsa.edu
Rachel Cook, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; oboean@imsa.edu
Emma Goodman, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W.Sullivan Road, Aurora,IL 60506; peacocki@imsa.edu
Anna Hang, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; lucky3@ima.edu
Andrew Langan, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; alangan@imsa.edu
Tori Walters, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; tjw@imsa.edu
Jon Warnock, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; jonw@imsa.edu
Advisor:
David Workman, Ph.D., Science, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; workman@imsa.edu
Abstract:
We have observed a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) rookery, since the spring of 1999. The rookery is located on private land along the Illinois river south of the town of Morris, Illinois, in Grundy county. A detailed map of the nesting sites has been prepared and a population count has been done. Special precautions have been taken to minimize disturbing the birds. We counted 85 nests in the 1999 season, but only 83 in 2000. Such fluctuations are not unusual. The majority of nests are found in three large sycamore trees, one of which is dead. All of the nests in the dead sycamore are clearly visible, and we were able to determine that the 21 adult pairs nesting in that tree raised 51 baby herons to maturity. Extrapolating that success rate to the entire rookery gives an estimate of 150-200 babies raised to maturity in the entire rookery, a highly successful breeding season. One member of the research team (Jon Warnock) is using Dermestid beetles to clean the carcass of a great blue heron found near the IMSA pond, and will mount the resulting skeleton on a wire frame.