In my little corner of the world, we see a large number of wading birds, most often Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and White Ibis. Sighting a Green Heron is always a special thrill, because their numbers are fewer. They also are a bit quiet and secretive. One did show up recently on my dock railing. My little dock in Rotonda was built with the thought of possible kayaking or canoeing in the canal. That thought has gone by the wayside, and the little dock is now a bird rest stop. The Anhinga likes to dry its wings while standing on the railing, the egrets search for snacks in the water below, the Great Blue Heron preens and during the winter the Belted Kingfisher uses the railing for a perch and lookout stand. It is such fun to see who will visit next.

I was excited to see the Green Heron (Butorides virescens) here resting on the dock railing. The Green Heron is about 14 to 17 inches in length with yellowish legs. It is often seen hunched up, and this stance reminds me of an old man huddled in a dark green sweater trying to keep warm.

You usually see the Green Heron skulking along in the mangroves and in the marshes along creeks. We are lucky to have this lovely heron as a resident of Florida. The Green Heron is usually seen during the early hours or at dusk unless it has young in the nest; then it will be seen in the daytime foraging for food for the chicks. It is interesting to note that it is one of the few birds that use an attractant to lure its prey. You will see the heron sitting on a branch over the water. According to www.whatbird.com, the Green Heron will drop bait, maybe some berries or an insect, into the water to attract prey animals. These herons eat small fish, insects, snakes and even mice and rats.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Green Heron lays two to six pale green eggs. The nests are simple stick nests and are built preferably in trees, but they will build in shrubs and in the marshes. It takes about three weeks for the eggs to hatch, and in several weeks the young will be snatching insects that fly or crawl by. The young are fed regurgitated food. As the adults approach the young, the chicks will grab their beaks — a signal that they want to be fed. When the chicks fledge, the adults will leave the area. They may go elsewhere the next year to nest, and perhaps even find a different mate.

Abbie Banks is a member of the Venice Area Birding Association, a group of folks who want to enjoy the environment and nature without the cumbersome politics of an organized group. For more info on VABA, e-mail her at amberina@aol.com.