Great blue heron population takes a dive in B.C.'s Tri-Cities
Local conservationists want the public's help tracking the birds in Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam
The population of great blue herons appears to be declining in the Tri-Cities area of Metro Vancouver, and the South Coast Conservation Program wants to find out how many remain.
Tamsin Baker, the conservation program's stewardship coordinator, is asking the public in and around Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody to record when and where they see herons engaging in nest-building behaviour.
Baker says a photo of a heron nest would be even better.
Great blue heron spotters in the Tri-Cities, which are part of the Coquitlam River Watershed, can email the information to info@sccp.ca.
Baker said that scientists the group works with are also concerned about other at-risk species in the Coquitlam River and Buntzen watersheds.
Anyone in the region spotting western painted turtles, northern red-legged frogs, pacific tailed frogs, western toad, barn owls, western screech owls or short-eared owls can also send the information to the SCCP.