Environmental Information Management System

Name: Great Blue Heron, Herodias Subspecies

Phylum: Craniata

Class: Aves

Order: Pelecaniformes

Family: Ardeidae

Scientific: Ardea herodias herodias

• Nest and forage along margins of lakes, slow moving rivers, sloughs, marshy lakes and wetlands), lowland riparian forest.
• The same nest structure may be used year after year.
• Colonies occur in contiguous forest, fragmented forest and solitary trees, and nests are located close together.
• Foraging areas are required within 10km of the breeding location.

• Minimize disturbance during the breeding season.
• Maintain nesting habitat throughout all seasons.
• Maintain desired plant communities and key habitat features.

All Activities

• Identify key habitat features using appropriate measures (i.e. QP direction, desktop review, field confirmation, etc) and plan activities within the operating area accordingly.
• Time works such that they occur outside of the critical timing window.
• Apply the appropriate survey and setback requirements for WHFs within identified habitat. (Refer to section 1.9 of the EPMG for additional guidance on WHFs).

All Activities

• Undertake construction and operation of oil and gas activities in a manner that minimizes impacts to desired plant communities and key habitat features.
• Avoid draining, altering or filling wetlands in proximity to heron colonies.

 

Timing considerations when working within identified habitat:

• In rural areas, no activity within 500m of nest/roost between  Feb 15 to August  31, when nesting and fledging occurs, and no activity within 300m at other times (September 1-February 14).
• In urban areas, no activity within 400m of nest/roost between  Feb 15 to August  31, when nesting and fledging occurs, and no activity within 200m at other times (September 1-February 14).