Great blue herons currently have five active nests at Blue Heron Lake in Golden Gate Park.

Four pairs of great blue herons have returned to breed at the newly renamed Blue Heron Lake (formerly Stow Lake). San Francisco Nature Education’s (SFNE) campaigned to rename the lake after the beautiful herons who have been observed by SFNE nesting there since 1993. Three of the nests are located on the island opposite the Boathouse. Another pair has occupied last year’s nest on the island near the waterfall in the healthy tree.