Harpeth River

Colony Name: Harpeth River - 840
Colony Code: Williamson-1
County: Williamson

Geographical Location.
    Physiographic Province: PIF 14 (Interior Low Plateaus [Central Basin])
    Latitude and Longitude: 35.84446 and -86.70743
        How Obtained:

Nearest City/Town: Franklin
Distance: 10
Directions from town to colony: I-65 south from Nashville to 840 East to the Harpeth River bridge.
Owner: Unknown
Address:
Management Plan: None

Description.
    General Description: The heronry is on the north side of 840 where it crosses the Harpeth River. Can be seen from the bridge over the river, but it is sketchy.
    General Habitat: Riparian/River, Stream
    Specific Habitat: Deciduous Trees
    Species of nest trees: Tall Sycamores
    Size: 2 hectares

History.
Franklin--Route 840 at Harpeth River, north side of the highway where it crosses the river, a breeding colony of Great Blue Herons, approximately 10 miles east of Franklin. 2007. February 15, possible Great Blue Heron heronry (10+ largish nests) on north side of the road near the Harpeth River (Ginger K. Ensor). May 1, [(33 adults, 33 active nests 36 nests counted)], estimated breeding paris 33 (maybe 36), no young seen, eggs in nest predominant reproductive stage. Habitat is deciduous riparian with nests in tall sycamores. Can be seen from the bridge over the river, but it is sketchy (Scott Somershoe). Contacts are Ginger K. Ensor, gensor@tntech.edu and Scott Somershoe, scott.somershoe@state.tn.us.

Cumulative Breeding Summary
2007-2008

Year Species Maximum Number Adults Observed Total Number
Active Nests Total Number
Young Seen in Nests Estimated Breeding Pairs

2007 Great Blue Heron 33 33 0 33

2008 Great Blue Heron 21 16 8 16

2007 Survey Results.
    Survey Dates: May 1 (4:50-5:15 p.m.)
    Survey Vantage Point: On-Site Visit
    Primary Observers: Scott G. Somershoe, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, P. O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37024, 615-781-6653, scott.somershoe@state.tn.us.

2007 Breeding Surveys

Date Species Reproductive Stage Survey Type (Nests) Survey Type (Adults) Total Number Adults Total Number Nests Number Active Nests Number Young Seen Estimated Breeding Pairs

May 1
Great Blue Heron Eggs in Nest Actual Count Actual Count 33 36 0 33 33 (maybe 36)

Comments:

Photo: Joe deGraauw

The heronry as seen from a distance.

2008 Survey Results.
    Survey Dates: April 16 and April 25 (11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. and 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., respectively)
    Survey Vantage Point: On Foot
    Primary Observers: April 16 - Joe deGraauw, Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211, 833-2248, ext. 155, jdegraauw@nashvillezoo.org; April 25 - Lauren E. Baber, 3777 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211, 833-2248, ext. 155, jdegraauw@nashvillezoo.org.

Year	Species	Maximum Number Adults Observed	Total Number Active Nests	Total Number Young Seen in Nests	Estimated Breeding Pairs
2007	Great Blue Heron	33	33	0	33
2008	Great Blue Heron	21	16	8	16

Date	Species	Reproductive Stage	Survey Type (Nests)	Survey Type (Adults)	Total Number Adults	Total Number Nests	Number Active Nests	Number Young Seen	Estimated Breeding Pairs
May 1	Great Blue Heron	Eggs in Nest	Actual Count	Actual Count	33	36	0	33	33 (maybe 36)