Heron nests installed at Almond Marsh

Standing on the frozen marsh among the remnants of towering cottonwoods, volunteers raised a metal 40-foot tripod into the air to support a single, rough wooden nest.

About 35 volunteers joined ecologists and biologists from the Lake County Forest Preserve District and the Lake County Audubon Society last month to install 11 new great blue heron platforms at Almond Marsh Forest Preserve near Grayslake.

"Last year, we approached the Lake County Forest Preserve to have a pilot program," explained Chris Geiselhart, president of the LCAS, who had attained a collaborative funding grant through the Audubon Society for material costs for the first nest. "The Lake County Audubon Society provided the funding and some volunteers to install one nesting platform. It was a raging success when the very first nesting pair went directly to our spot and built a nest. With that success, it created interest throughout the area so we came back to install more."

The volunteers took baskets created from rebar and attached to links of pipes, forming a large tripod. Wooden branches from the site were added to the metal basket to attract the herons. The structure was slowly raised and the metal poles were sunk into the substrate and reinforced for stability.

"We are at a current rookery site where herons have been nesting for years, the trees are starting to fall and the rookery is decreasing," said Allison Frederick, environmental communication specialist of the forest preserve. "We are installing 11 new platforms on the site and the hope is that the herons will use these platforms in addition to the trees and produce successful nests once again. We are hoping to promote the continuation of herons nesting here with these man-made platforms."

The great blue heron population has been dwindling at the marsh for the last decade. Officials hope the collaborative effort of the forest preserve district, the audubon society and Integrated Lakes Management will revive the site.

"I think it's awesome. I just love volunteering and being part of helping a species of birds," said Tracey Wierman of Libertyville as she waited to help lift another one of the stands. "I'm excited to come in the spring and see the nesting sites and to see the birds come use what we've built today."