New Tricolored Heron Study to Shed Light on Population, Predation Problems

New grant will improve conservation for Tricolored Herons.
A game camera attached to a pole, with marsh grass in the background.

In May, the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida granted ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ funds to manage and protect six active nesting colonies and one abandoned colony that has supported past Tricolored Heron nesting. The Tricolored Heron is a state-Threatened wading bird with a declining population in the Tampa Bay region.

Using new motion-sensitive game cameras and other techniques, staff will manage threats to the colonies, including predation, human disturbance, and trash—especially fishing line and gear. As we continue to gather information on this species, we will work with land managers and decision makers to give productive nesting sites additional protections.

This article originally appeared in the 2024 Summer edition of the Naturalist.