Great blue herons will be lost to bulldozers

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Dear Editor,

I love great blue herons. Once in a while I see one fly over the house, presumably on it's way to a nearby marsh, but not often.

When I do, I just lay my head back and watch it until it is out of sight. I hadn't seen one yet this year, so I was very pleased yesterday when I spotted one as I drove north on Rte 146A in North Smithfield toward Woonsocket.

With a wingspan of up to six feet, great blues are so peaceful to watch with their slow, wide wing beat. I've always thought they look almost prehistoric, resembling a pterodactyl. If you have a chance to be within earshot as it flies over, you'll even hear the familiar "kraak" which sounds like something from Jurassic Park.

The great blue heron's habitats include rivers, lake edges, marshes, saltwater shores and swamps. The birds usually nest in trees near water. They eat frogs, fish, salamanders, snakes, small mammals, insects, birds and some plants. Great blues nest together in colonies, also known as herony, and are sensitive to the effects of human disturbance.

I didn't recognize it at first yesterday, it was too far ahead of me, but I knew it was something big. As I got beneath it, I slowed down and looked up and realized it was a great blue. There was no traffic behind me at 10 a.m. as I drove north on Rte 146A toward Park Square, so I was able to coast and watch it's flight in an easterly direction. I watched it until it was nearly out of sight and that was when my smile faded and my heart sank. I realized it was headed for the ste of the proposed Dowling Village.

I wonder if a 122 acre mall will be enough "human disturbance" to send him packing? I guess I won't be seeing him again!

Sandra Soares
North Smithfield, RI