Nesting program a success at Lake Co. forest preserve

Despite appearances, the 40-foot-high, metallic construction that recently materialized in the Almond Marsh Forest Preserve near Grayslake isn't a camera tripod for giants.

Rather, it's a man-made nesting platform designed to attract the herons known to make the marsh their home.

And it works.

A pair of adult great blue herons has nested atop the platform and continue to add twigs to the platform, Lake County Forest Preserve District officials confirmed this week.

"They all look alike, (but) we assume it's the same pair," said Allison Frederick, an environmental communications specialist with the district.

Working with the Lake County Audubon Society and the Integrated Lakes Management consulting firm, forest district officials last month erected the nesting platform at the preserve, which is near Almond and Casey roads. The 473-acre marsh was chosen because it's already known to attract herons.

The effort was inspired by a similar effort in Vermont. The platform was donated by the Audubon Society, which received a grant to cover its cost.

The platform is visible from the Almond Marsh parking lot. It's 100 to 200 feet northeast of the lot, Frederick said.

Interested bird lovers are encouraged to check out the platform. The preserve is open weekdays, 8 a.m. to sunset. Starting in April, it also will be open Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will be on site Saturday mornings to assist bird watchers.

If the platform continues to be popular with the herons, similar structures designed for other bird species could be added to other preserves, Frederick said.

Herons aren't endangered or threatened, but the next round of nesting platforms could be aimed at helping species "that do need help," she said.