Programs
Heron Watch - Free Program
Donations Welcome
Observe the Magnificent Great Blue Herons and Their Chicks at Stow Lake
6 Saturdays During the Spring Nesting Season in April and May.
2022 Season Saturday Dates: April 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, & 21 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Free Program -- Volunteers will direct attention to
the herons and chicks, explain their
behavior, and answer questions.
The observation site will be open
from 10 am to 1 pm. Donations
welcome!.
Here is a link to the map below (NOTE: OBSERVATION SITE HAS MOVED!).
GREAT BLUE HERONS began nesting at
Stow Lake in 1993. To date, 249 chicks have
learned to fly here. The herons court, build
their nests, mate, and lay eggs between
January and March. By April the nests have
chicks. The parents continue feeding them
as chicks grow to about four feet tall.
In June the chicks begin to branch-hop
and take short flights. They typically start
leaving the nest at twelve weeks, around
July 4th.
Click here to view or print our 2021 flyer.
Blue Herons Nesting in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park - ABC 7 News
ABC 7 News, April 13, 2017
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Click here for article by Bay Nature Magazine about the Great Blue Herons at Stow Lake and the Heron Watch Saturday program, with embedded video interview with Nancy DeStefanis.
Click here to watch a video where interns share their experience with our internship program.
Click here to view or download "Great Blue Heron Colony Nesting and Fledging Chronology, 1993-Present".
 High school interns with Executive Director, Nancy DeStefanis. |
 Intern Cedric, at left, leads a tour of the great blue heron colony. |
 Heron Watch volunteers 2014 |
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Interested in being a Heron Watch volunteer? Click here to download an application.
