For a bird that feeds in open water, the Great Blue Heron often pushes the limits with its early arrival.
"Great Blue Heron was first spotted on McDonough Lake which is still ice covered. The heron was on edge of the open water from the aerator that is on the lake."
March 24, 2014 Eagan, Minnesota
Great blue herons typically nest in rookeries that can contain hundreds of nesting pairs.
Photo and Video: Wikimedia Commons