De Silva Island Heron Colony

De Silva Island Heron Colony

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Birding with Ron Brown

Registration is required. Registration opens May 16 at 8 AM. Trip limit is 15.

De Silva Island is home to a long-established colony of Great Blue Herons, residing in a grove of eucalyptus trees on the banks of Belloch's Lagoon (Strawberry Cove) in Richardson Bay. In recent years Great Egrets and Double Crested Cormorants (colonial nesting species) have moved into this fine breeding site. 

Although the start of the breeding season is somewhat variable, we should see late-stage Heron and Egret chicks and early-stage Cormorant chicks. The colony is best seen by a scope from across Belloch's Lagoon (Strawberry Cove). One scope will be available, but others would be welcome. The viewing area is the sidewalk and there is no easy parking. I can take a couple of people with difficulty walking, others can move their cars a short distance and walk a short distance.

DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101 south, exit at 446 toward Seminary Drive, make a left onto Redwood Hwy frontage road, and follow as it goes under the freeway. Continue for 1/2 mile, make a right on Seminary Drive to the Fitness outdoor workout at 107b Seminary Drive and find street parking. From Hwy 101 north, exit at 446 toward Seminary Drive, make a left at Redwood Frontage Road. In about 1/2 mile make a right on Seminary Drive to the Fitness outdoor workout at 107 Seminary and find street parking.

We will meet on Seminary Drive near the outdoor workout area at 10 am. It will be a short walk on the somewhat uneven public footpath around the marsh with a set of stairs up to view the colony trees.