Importance of Proximity to Foraging Areas for the Pacific Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias fannini) Nesting in a Developed Landscape

Abstract

Abstract. Habitat loss due to human development is a threat to colonial waterbird species, which require nesting habitat in proximity to productive aquatic foraging areas to ensure reproductive success. When development of habitat occurs, waterbirds must either tolerate the changes or relocate nesting colonies to habitat elsewhere. Land cover and nesting colony data were used to study the implications of development for the Pacific Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias fannini). Colonies were closer to major foraging areas than expected by chance, but were not farther from human development than expected by chance, suggesting that Pacific Great Blue Herons will tolerate some development to remain close to major foraging areas. There was no relationship between distance to human development and colony productivity; however, distance to major foraging area was a significant predictor of productivity, which suggests Pacific Great Blue Herons may prioritize proximity to foraging areas because it is critical for re...