Great blue heron stages comeback in park

Great blue herons are one of British Columbia's most vulnerable species but one colony is thriving in Vancouver.

Scientists say the birds may be at risk because too many people are moving in on their habitat.

A few years ago in Vancouver's Stanley Park, the herons almost disappeared, said Rob Boelens of the Stanley Park Ecology Society, who tracks the park's heron populations.

Construction and traffic were blamed for the decline, but the herons have made an unexpected and unexplained comeback.

Boelens is puzzled by the herons' ability to thrive in a city park.

"There is no science at this point," he said. "Could be that the herons have settled and they do have a tendency to return to where they are born."

Park officials said not everyone is pleased with the heron's rebound. Mike MacIntosh of Vancouver Park Board said some neighbours complained about the noise.

Great blue herons are noisy when they feed and their droppings give off a strong odour.

People will have to get used to their new feathered friends. The birds "have chosen to come and live here at the entrance to the park, an area that is a hive of activity," said MacIntosh.

Park workers have fenced off the birds nesting area to protect them.