Outdoor Ontario

Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Brian Bailey on August 16, 2016, 10:28:31 PM

Title: Blue Heron Hunting Chipmunks
Post by: Brian Bailey on August 16, 2016, 10:28:31 PM

Last weekend, camping at Killbear, some friends (but not I) witnessed an unusual hunting behaviour. A Great Blue Heron repeatedly visited the campground to hunt chipmunks. It was seen several times in the same area using the same strategy, showing an unusually high comfort level around humans.

It was hunting just the way one would hunt frogs. Maybe with this summer's drought, chipmunks are easier to catch than frogs. I've heard of them catching voles that they happen upon, but this appeared to be a planned and deliberate strategy.

Unfortunately, I never saw the heron in action, but I saw the photos.



BB

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Title: Re: Blue Heron Hunting Chipmunks
Post by: cabz on August 17, 2016, 08:37:41 AM

A relative of mine had the same thing happen a year or two ago in Algonquin.  I think they were at Mew Lake.  They got some pics, and did not realize how fast a GBH can move!!!!

Good birding

Cabs

Title: Re: Blue Heron Hunting Chipmunks
Post by: MEGHAN on August 18, 2016, 04:03:46 AM

That's not unusual  behavior. It just sucks because chippy's are so cute
 Herons are quite well know for hunting mice, and other rodents including chipmunks. They can usually be found on a cottage deck where people regularity feed chipmunks .

Meghan