You have most likely heard of the Great Blue Heron, but have you seen a Green Heron? If not, you're in luck! Currently, the tree in front of you is the nest of some Green Herons. Every year they will come back to this location until the tree has collapsed or the nest is destroyed. For some species of herons, such as the Great Blue Heron, they will cluster together into communal rookeries; however the Green Heron tends to nest alone. These birds have adapted to be largely independent, and use their large numbers for protection. Like most birds, herons will build their rookeries using dead stick and twigs, and in addition will include flat moss when possible . You will often find Green Herons that tend to nest close to their food source, in this case right above our pond. Heron's will also continue to improve their rookeries through the years, and will often commute 9 miles for these supplies and food.

(Image above courtesy of Roy W. Lowe - https://www.fws.gov/refuges/features/humor.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50988682)