This morning, at Phillips Lake, my wife and I encountered a flock of red-winged blackbirds, dive bombing a small tree along the marsh-lined inlet. Upon closer examination, we found a green heron, huddled on one of the branches.
Common across the central and eastern U.S. during the warmer months, this small heron prefers to hunt along secluded lakeshores, in the dense vegetation of swamps or along the shaded banks of streams. Since they feed primarily on small fish, aquatic invertebrates, large insects and amphibians, I doubt the blackbirds had much to worry about. Then again, red-wings are aggressive and gregarious birds and are quick to attack any perceived enemy.
After enduring the onslaught for several minutes, the heron squawked and took off over the lake, escorted and harassed by several of the blackbirds. Perhaps it had been too close to their nests; whatever the reason for their attack, I doubt the heron will be returning to that feeding site anytime soon.
