By Andrew Green

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Dolby

Abstract

The fall line of the Rappahannock River in the City of Fredericksburg appears to be an important spring fishing site for Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) that nest in Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve. Dozens of Great Blue Herons visit the rapids daily during the breeding season, which coincides with the annual spring shad migration. As a result of climate change, the flow and water quality of the Rappahannock are likely to change and possibly disrupt local herons’ ability to feed their chicks by causing inconsistency in their fishing success. I am studying the effects of river water variables, such as discharge, turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen on the fishing success of herons to begin to explore the potential for river volatility to ultimately affect the nesting success of the Crow’s Nest rookery’s Great Blue Herons. Results are pending