I did a lot of "windshield time" on rural blacktops over the last two days. A significant portion of it was in some hilly terrain with lots of small ponds.
I think I saw a single Great Blue Heron on about a third of the ponds I could easily view.
Each one appeared quite intent on "fishing" while I was passing. I assume the birds get a bit hungry over the winter, and are then very happy for spring to roll around so they can eat the fish and other creatures from our ponds.
They must also be pretty territorial in enforcing that they have sole access to the pond. I never observed a pair of GBH on a pond. (Even though it is close to mating season?) And I never saw a Great Egret in any pond that had a GBH. (And I believe the GEs are the second most common large wading bird in my area.)
If someone is having significant problems with GBHs eating their forage fish and fingerlings, perhaps a Great Egret decoy might frustrate the GBHs?
