The Green Heron skulks in reeds and occasionally delights the dedicated birder. Although present in low densities, it is the most widespread of the breeding herons according to the 1993 Monterey County Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA). An unusual recent sighting included four chicks waiting hungrily in the reeds while a parent feeds them.

Monterey County participation for the California Bird Atlas Big Weekend included four events led by Monterey Audubon Society

We had a fantastic trip with 17 guests to Rana Creek Preserve, managed by Wildlands Conservancy. Natural Resource Manager Kat Hardisty-Cranstone and Docent Ernie. With Trip Leaders Kai Russell and Karen Kreiger, we were astounded by the beauty and biodiversity of this area, from 56 bird species seen over the course of 3 hours to a hillside of California bunch grasses, a wolf spider and some late blooming Elegant Clarkia.