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oak orchard

Green herons & great blue herons: creatures of the marsh

By JIM NIGRO

The green heron pictured above appears to be doing its hunting in a grassy field but that is probably not the case. Never one to venture far from their favored haunts, the small stream barely visible behind the heron is probably where it was hunting before being disturbed.

After taking flight, the heron flew only a short distance before coming to rest on some dead branches.

Dead tree limbs overlooking marshy confines and surrounded by thick brush or cattails makes for a preferred hunting location for the green heron.

The heron has something in its sights and begin to crane its neck forward.

Its neck fully extended, the green heron is on full alert.

Great blue herons, along with great white herons, are the largest of the heron family. Mostly seen wading the edges of small streams and marshes, this great blue heron opted for an aerial view from a dead tree.  

This is the marsh bordering the hedgerow of dead timber where the heron is situated. Whether he's simply resting or watching for prey, it has a great view of its wetland haunt.

Ever vigilant, the great blue looks to the west...

before looking to the east...

with nothing in sight, it takes a moment for a bit of preening.

Conservation funds available for farmers in Oak Orchard, Oatka, Black Creek watersheds

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is available to provide information about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the special funding that is available to farmers within the Oak Orchard, Oatka and Black Creek watersheds.

The two funding sources that are available to eligible farmers within the Great Lakes priority watersheds include the Black and Oatka Creeks Sediment Reduction Grant and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Funding from both programs will provide financial and technical assistance for installing conservation practices aimed at protecting water quality in the streams and tributaries of Lake Ontario.

“The Great Lakes are an important part of our region supplying drinking water to more than 40 million people and supporting many different sectors including manufacturing, tourism, energy, and agriculture,” said Heath Eisele, district conservationist for the Batavia NRCS field office. “Continued protection of the Great Lakes will take a multipronged approach."

Applications are currently being accepted for both funding programs. The deadline for submitting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is July 1. The deadline for submitting applications for the Black and Oatka Creek Sediment Reduction Grant is Aug. 1.

To contact the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District, phone 343-2363. For more details or additional conservation program information contact Heath Eisele at heath.eisele@ny.usda.gov.

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