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At Radnor Lake - It's Birds, Birds, Birds When Spring Is Sprung at Otter Road's State Natural Area
by Rich and Laura Lynch
While most of the region was focusing on the loudly emerging brood of cicadas - it was the local bird population taking center stage at Radnor Lake State Park when your Team from MCN was treated to a fascinating and miraculous moment in time when we spotted a family of Great Blue Herons as they were tending to their nests and hatchlings in early May.
The young Great Blue Herons were nearly as cute as kittens!
What we discovered at the end of the hour long walk around the lake was a grouping of four nests in some trees by the water's edge. There was quite a ruckus made as it was meal time and a crowd gathered to watch the truly rare spectacle unfold before evereyone's eyes. I had left my good camera at home. But, when we returned a week later and once again found the juvenile Great Blue Herons gathered and waiting for a meal from a parentual unit - well, this time I was armed and ready to get some better photo opps.
A more mature Great Blue Heron was also taking a lunch break by the lake.
We got to them just in the nick of time, too - as the 6 young 'uns appeared much larger that a week earlier and nearly ready to fly the coop. While at Radnor we also spotted some members of their favored family of Eagles in addition to many Great Blue Herons doing their thing - which sometimes means it's a bad day for the frogs and fish who are also making thier living at the lake!
The Eagles are back and doing their thing - if you know where to look.
Come see for yourself at - Radnor Lake State Park - Nashville's 1,368-acre park that is protected as a Class II Natural Area. It is unique due to the abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities, environmental education programs, hiking opportunities, and its location in an urban area. The park is perfect for nature enthusiasts to observe owls, herons, and waterfowl as well as many species of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals such as mink and otter. Hundreds of species of wildflowers, mosses, fungi, ferns, and other plants, as well as trees, shrubs, and vines, add to the natural ecological diversity of the area. Please vist their website below for hours of operation and more information.
This fab four could be Music City's next big thing.
Related Links:
For more information on RADNOR LAKE and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Radnor Lake State Park
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