Black-Crowned Night-Heron

It’s nice working one evening during the week, because it allows me to spend the morning walking in the park when it’s somewhat quieter there.  I tend to also see more uncommon wildlife when fewer people are around. This Thursday during an early morning walk at Connetquot River State Park, I spotted a Black-Crowned Night-Heron at Deep Water Pond.  He was perched on a tree limb that was partially submerged in the water.  He was so still and peaceful that he appeared to be meditating. This was the first time I had seen a Black-Crowned Night-Heron, and I admit that I had to refer to my Peterson Field Guide to Birds in order to identify him. A few days later, I asked the park manager about the Black-Crowned Night- Herons, and he informed me that they were fairly common years ago when the fish hatchery was operational, but ever since the hatchery was shut down, these birds have become less numerous at Connetquot.  I later read in the Atlas of Breeding Birds of New York State that decades ago (1930s and before) the evening quawk of the Black-Crowned Night-Heron was once a familiar night sound on Long Island. Unfortunately, overdevelopment has destroyed much of their breeding grounds and they are disappearing. So I feel rather fortunate to have seen one of these lovely birds while walking in my favorite local preserve.