Windstorm devastates heron nests in Vernon

This week’s windstorm wreaked havoc on Vernon’s heron population.

Wildlife expert Pete Wise said the wind broke trees and branches and blew nests out of their spots.

“Unfortunately, being that high up, they hit the ground and either succumbed to the fall, or because it was raining, the majority died of hypothermia,” Wise said.

He walked the site after the storm and was saddened by what he found.

“We found 29 juveniles, chicks, and we found one adult, and none of them lived.  They were all dead.”

Wise said about one-third of the colony was wiped out.