Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Gowanus Herons: Making Their Home On The Edge Of A Superfund

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This past Saturday, I came across the bird pictured above, who was sitting on the edge of the Gowanus Canal at Second Street.  Some of my readers have identified is as a green heron. (Someone else suggested it was a cormorant.)
I have seen them next to the toxic waterway before, but I never cease to be amazed by their majestic presence in such a foul environment.
I reached out to Gowanus resident Eymund Diegel, who canoes on the canal regularly.
Eymund sent along a few more photos of  herons and egrets that have been sighted in and around the Gowanus.
Rather amazing, aren't they?

 Egret, May 2011 photo credit: Eymund Diegel
Great Egret at the Gowanus Dredgers' dock at 2nd Street 
photo credit: Eymund Diegel
Black Crowned Night Heron photo credit Eleanor Hanlon
Green Herons on Gowanus Floating Garden
photo credit: Adam Katzman
Egret, April 2011 near birdhouse installed by Gowanus Conservancy 
photo credit: Eymund Diegel
Egret on Gowanus Conservancy Heron Platform at 2nd Ave and Gowanus Canal May 2013
photo credit: Eymund Diegel



7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Something to consider; I think that they look more like cormarants

Katia said...

You may be right. I just checked the web and the bird I saw and took photos off looks very much like a cormorant.
Anyone knowledgable about birds who can identify for sure?

Jim Kenna said...

Looks like a cormorant. They are often present in Gowanus Bay.

Katia said...

Thanks, Jim. How about the other birds on the photos?

Anonymous said...

Top three photos are of a green heron. The all-white bird is a great egret. "Manzana" is a black-crowned night heron. No cormorants.

Katia said...

Thanks, for the identification. I guess I will change the post one more time to reflect this new info.

Anonymous said...

FYI...the birds don't know it is a superfund..