Baltimore birder Kevin Marshall invites you on a journey to one of the city’s most unexpected wildlife intersections: the thriving black‑crowned night heron rookery tucked into the trees of Thames Street Park.
Kevin discovered birding in 2023 and quickly became captivated by this rare urban colony. Since then, he has spent two spring seasons documenting the herons’ return, their nesting behavior, and the daily drama of raising young above a busy waterfront. As of early May, the rookery includes 30 active nests across nine trees, with 24 currently on eggs.
In this NHSM Zoom program, Kevin will:
- Introduce the humble, resilient night heron and why their presence in Fells Point is so unusual.
- Peek into the lives and nests of our urban rookery through photos and field notes.
- Share observations from the 2024 season — from cold‑weather lulls to frantic bursts of nest‑building.
- Explore how wildlife adapts to city life with anecdotes, stats, and a bit of heron humor.
Come along for a close‑up look at what it’s like to grow up night heron in the city — the challenges, the resilience, and the everyday hullabaloo happening high above Thames Street.
Follow ongoing updates at @thamesstreetnightherons on Instagram.
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Education for All : $0
NHSM believes there should be no barriers to education. If you can’t pay, that’s okay. If you can pay, great. If you can pay more, please do, so this kind of education can continue.